| A heat pump is an electric cooling and | | | | region. |
| heating system used to compress and | | | | For instance, air source heat pumps are |
| decompress gas to heat or cool a house. | | | | a good option for mild and moderate |
| This mechanical device pumps heat from a | | | | climate regions, and ground source or |
| cooler to a warmer location and can | | | | geothermal heat pumps are efficient in |
| extract heat from air, water or the | | | | climates with similar heating and |
| earth. Heat pumps functions like an air | | | | cooling loads. The most common types of |
| conditioner in the summer and an | | | | heat pumps are the air-source and |
| electric furnace in the winter, thus | | | | ground-source heat pumps. Although |
| encompassing both a heating and cooling | | | | ground source heat pumps are more |
| unit in one device. The COP, or | | | | expensive to install, they are more |
| coefficient of performance, which | | | | efficient and less noisy. |
| calculates the ratio of heat output to | | | | However, to make heat pumps work |
| electric power consumption, measures the | | | | efficiently, they should be installed |
| performance of a heat pump. | | | | properly, and one should choose the |
| Heat pumps are the most resourceful form | | | | right sized pump that can fulfill the |
| of electric heating in moderate | | | | heating and cooling demands of the |
| climates, and cool a house by collecting | | | | house. While selecting a heat pump one |
| the heat inside the house and | | | | should buy a device with a higher |
| effectively pumping it outside. There | | | | Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, or |
| are three types of heat pumps that one | | | | HSPF. The pumps should also be fitted |
| can install: air-to-air, water source | | | | with demand-defrost control, which |
| and ground source. Heat pumps can | | | | minimizes the defrost cycles and reduces |
| collect heat from air, water or ground | | | | supplementary and heat pump energy use. |
| and can utilize the same to heat or cool | | | | Heat pumps are much more cost-effective |
| your home. When installing a heat pump | | | | then other conventional heating devices, |
| at home, one should consider using an | | | | and are also becoming more commonly used |
| energy-efficient heat pump system, | | | | to heat swimming pools, and hot water |
| keeping in mind the climate of the | | | | for household use. |