
A heat pump is a type of HVAC system that handles both cooling and heating. When my AC broke down last summer, I knew I needed a better solution, and a heat pump was the perfect solution.
At first, I didn’t get it — how can one system do both jobs? But here’s what made it click for me: it doesn’t make hot or cold air — it just moves heat from one place to another, which saves a lot of energy. After installing one in my home, I noticed my energy bills decreased significantly.
Take advantage of these cost-saving systems and find a pro on Home Gnome to install a heat pump in your home.
How Heat Pumps Work
Unlike traditional HVAC systems, heat pumps do not require burning fuel to create heat. The system has two units — one outside and one inside the home. They’re connected by copper pipes filled with refrigerant.
The refrigerant is the key — it absorbs heat from one place and releases it in another. My HVAC technician explained it’s like a heat sponge that gets squeezed by a compressor to move the heat around.
My Tip: I was skeptical about heat pumps because they cost more upfront. But my mind changed once I saw my power bill drop. The U.S. Department of Energy says they can reduce electricity use by 50% compared to furnaces and baseboard heaters.
Benefits of heat pumps:
- Greener than gas-burning heater systems
- Versatile, able to heat and cool a home
- Produce less noise than traditional HVAC systems
- Heat is distributed evenly throughout the house, meaning no cold spots
- Turn on and off less often than a gas furnace
- Better dehumidification capabilities than air conditioners
Heat Pump Main Components
You know how your fridge keeps things cold? A heat pump has similar components, but it has a few key parts that allow it to work with both hot and cold air.
- Outdoor Unit: Collects heat and transfers it to the indoor coil via a compressor, serving as both a condenser for cooling and an evaporator for heating.
- Compressor: Moves the refrigerant material between the indoor and outdoor coils.
- Indoor Unit: Releases heat into the building in the winter and absorbs heat from the building in the summer.
- Refrigerant: The material that circulates between the coils, collecting and releasing heat.
- Valve: There are two valves in a heat pump: an expansion valve and a reversing valve. The expansion valve regulates the amount of refrigerant that goes into the indoor coil, while the reversing valve switches between heating and cooling modes.
Heat Pump’s Operation in Summer

In the summer, a heat pump acts similarly to an air conditioner in terms of cooling the home. Here are the steps of how a heat pump operates in cooling mode:
- The air handler (indoor unit) pulls out the warm air inside your home through air ducts.
- The hot air passes over the evaporator coil and gets cooled down during the process.
- The chilled air is forced back inside your room.
- At the same time, the warm indoor air heats up the refrigerant, turning it from a liquid into a vapor.
- The refrigerant, now a vapor, is sent to the outdoor compressor. In the compressor, the cool vapor is pressurized into a hot gas.
- The hot refrigerant travels to the outdoor condenser coils, where it releases heat into the surrounding outdoor air. As heat releases, it cools down and condenses into a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid.
- Next, the expansion valve transforms the refrigerant back into a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid/vapor mix to be sent back into the indoor unit, completing the cooling process.
- The cycle repeats until you reach your desired temperature.
Heat Pump’s Operation in Winter

In heating mode, the cycle is reversed with the help of the reversing valve. Now, the outside unit acts as an evaporator while the indoor air handler acts as a condenser.
Here is how it works:
- The outside unit extracts heat from the air outdoors.
- This heat is then transferred to the refrigerant, turning it into a vapor.
- Next, the compressor squeezes the vaporous refrigerant into a hot gas.
- The hot refrigerant gas travels to the indoor air handler. As it cools down and condenses into a liquid, it releases heat into your home.
- The warm air is then forced through air ducts and into your home, providing warmth during the winter.
- Finally, the liquid refrigerant travels through the expansion valve for further cooling. Once cold enough, it can absorb outdoor heat again.
My Tip: Modern heat pumps can effectively warm your home even when temperatures drop to -15 degrees. While backup heating isn’t always necessary, it might be worth considering if your area regularly experiences extreme cold.
Types of Heat Pumps
Air-Source Heat Pump
An air-source heat pump is the most cost-effective solution for homeowners in areas with milder climates. It pulls heat from the outside air and warms up your home. It typically requires a ductwork system.
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps
If your home lacks ductwork, consider opting for this type. It includes an outdoor unit housing the compressor and evaporator, along with indoor air handlers. These are easily installed on walls or ceilings to cool specific rooms.
Dual Fuel/Hybrid Heat Pump
This type of system combines the best of both worlds — an air-source heat pump for easy heating and cooling plus a backup furnace for extra heat in the winter months.
Ground Source Heat Pumps (Geothermal)
A ground source uses the earth’s stable warmth or an underground water source for climate control. While they have higher upfront costs, they can offer long-term efficiency, especially in colder climates.
Solar Heat Pumps
These pumps use the sun’s energy to heat or cool your home. They might cost more initially but can help save money over time.
Heat Pump Efficiency Rating
SEER and HSPF
Heat pumps have two efficiency scores: SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for cooling and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) for heating. These numbers appear on every price tag and energy guide label. Better ratings mean the unit runs less to do the same job. Here are the available heat pump efficiency ratings:
SEER | HSPF | Performance |
SEER 14 | HSPF 7.7 | Minimum standard |
SEER 16-18 | HSPF 8.2+ | Energy Star qualified |
SEER 19+ | HSPF 10+ | Premium efficiency |
My Tip: Don’t just chase high numbers. A heat pump with SEER 15 to 16 and HSPF 8.8 works well for most homes. However, if you live in a cold climate, focus on a higher HSPF (9+) for better winter heating. Down south, aim for SEER 16+ to handle hot summers. It balances cost and performance.
BTU (Size and Power)
The BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating tells you how powerful a heat pump is. A 2-ton unit puts out 24,000 BTUs — enough for a small house. Too many BTUs waste energy, and too few leave you uncomfortable. Here is a table with the typical range of BTUs and ton capacities in heat pumps that are required for different home sizes:
House Size | BTUs Needed | Ton Size |
1,000 Square Feet | 24,000 | 2 tons |
1,800 Square Feet | 36,000 | 3 tons |
2,200 Square Feet | 48,000 | 4 tons |
My Tip: These are general guidelines. Your actual needs might differ based on your insulation, windows, and local climate.
For instance, my small 750-square-foot apartment needed a smaller system than these standard sizes. My HVAC tech recommended an 18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump. It’s perfect because my place is well-insulated, and I have new windows. A bigger unit would have just wasted power cycling on and off too much.
Find an HVAC Specialist Near You
I’m really happy with my heat pump. It keeps my home comfy all year and lowers my power bills. Picking the right HVAC system matters greatly, especially for your wallet, your comfort, and even our planet. A good heat pump can make a real difference in everyday life.
Still confused about heat pumps? Home Gnome connects you with top HVAC specialists near you who can guide you in making your decision and handling the installation.
Main Photo Credit: Libor / Adobe Stock Free / License