How do heat pumps work?

In winter, a heat pump provides heating by extracting heat from outside a building and moving it indoors. In summer, it can provide cooling by transferring heat from indoors to the outside.

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Learn about the different types of heat pumps, how they work, and why they could help address climate change.

How a heat pump works

A heat pump utilizes the same technology as an air conditioner, which cools your home using a refrigerant. The main difference between an air conditioner and a heat pump is that the latter has a reversing valve, allowing it to also heat your home.

In heating mode, a heat pump operates like an air conditioner in reverse; instead of cooling your home, it uses the refrigerant to warm it.

Here’s a step-by-step process of how heat pumps work:

1. Heat can be drawn from the air outside or warmth from the ground. This heat is blown or pumped over the heat exchange surface of the exterior part of the heat pump.

2. This heat is warm enough to cause the liquid refrigerant in the heat pump to evaporate and turn into gas.

3. This gas is then moved through a compressor, which increases its pressure, causing its temperature to rise.

4. The heated gas passes over the internal heat exchange surface. This heat can then be circulated around the home's interior or transferred into a central heating or hot water system.

5. As the heat is transferred into the home, the gas cools down and returns to a liquid state.

6. This cycle of reverse refrigeration repeats until your home reaches the desired temperature set on your thermostat.

If heat pumps obtain their heat from outside, how do they provide heat on a cold day?

Even when it’s very cold outside, some heat energy still exists. Heat pumps effectively capture this heat energy from the ground or air around a building and use it to provide warmth for your home or business.

To ensure optimal performance of heat pumps, it’s essential that the building has good energy efficiency measures in place, such as effective insulation.

What different types of heat pumps are there?

There are several types of heat pumps: air-source and ground-source.

Heat pumps can also be paired with fossil fuel gas furnaces; these systems are commonly referred to as hybrid heat pumps.

How does an air-source heat pump work?

• Air-to-water heat pumps extract heat from the outside air and deliver it to your wet central heating system (similar to existing gas central heating). Since the heat produced is cooler than that from a conventional furnace or boiler, you may need to install larger radiators or underfloor heating in your home to maximize efficiency. Air-to-water heat pumps are often best suited for new-build properties or those that are energy efficient.

• Air-to-air heat pumps draw heat from the outside air and distribute it indoors through fans. This type of system can be used for heating but cannot produce hot water.

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How does a ground-source heat pump work?

How does a hybrid heat pump work?

Why are heat pumps important in helping reach net zero?

Around 40% of global emissions come from buildings, primarily due to how we heat our homes and businesses.

To achieve net zero carbon emissions and combat climate change, we must transition from heating that relies on high-carbon fuels to cleaner, low- or zero-carbon alternatives.

Heat pumps will play a crucial role in this transition for two main reasons:

• Heat pump systems are designed to extract more heat energy from the environment than the energy they consume to generate heat. They can produce two to three times more heat output than their electricity input.

• As electricity generation increasingly relies on renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, the electricity used to power heat pumps becomes cleaner.

Last updated: 13 Apr

The information in this article is intended as a factual explainer and does not necessarily reflect National Grid's strategic direction or current business activities.

Stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer with cleaner air from state-of-the-art cold-climate air source heat pumps.

Cold-climate air source heat pumps can replace your existing heating and cooling systems or provide supplemental temperature control in targeted areas of your home.

Ensure your air source heat pump is rated for cold climates before finalizing the purchase with your installer.

Benefits of a Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump

• Cleaner & Safer: Cold-climate air source heat pumps do not require the combustion of fossil fuels or fuel storage, eliminating the risk of carbon monoxide release and improving your home’s air quality.
• Efficient Heating & Cooling: Heat pumps are highly energy-efficient; they extract more energy than they consume by moving existing heat into or out of your home.
• Greater Comfort: Cold-climate air source heat pumps provide whisper-quiet, even heating and cooling regardless of the season.
• Convenience & Longevity: Heat pumps typically last longer than conventional heating and cooling systems and require minimal maintenance. By switching to a heat pump, you'll eliminate the need for a window AC, and if you're currently heating with oil or propane, you'll no longer have to schedule fuel deliveries.

How Do Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pumps Work?

Cold-climate air source heat pumps extract heat from the air outside and distribute it inside your home. During warmer months, this process is reversed to provide cooling by pulling heat from your interior space. Air source heat pumps can be used to heat or cool single rooms or entire homes.

There are two different types of distribution methods for cold-climate air source heat pumps. While both are classified as air source heat pumps, they have different internal components and deliver heat to your home in varying ways:

Air-to-Air - Works with either ductwork (air vents) or ductless heads like mini-splits. This method is more efficient for cooling compared to an air-to-water system.

Air-to-Water - Integrates with various water-based (or hydronic) methods such as wall or baseboard radiators, or radiant underfloor heating. The heat from an air-to-water system feels most similar to that from a fossil fuel boiler system, providing consistent and even heating. Additionally, it can supply domestic hot water without needing a separate system.

Always collaborate with a NYS Clean Heat participating contractor to determine the best system for your needs.

Is a Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump Right for You?

Cold-climate air source heat pumps are ideal for apartments, additions, or rooms that struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature. If you have an existing duct system, consider a heat pump that can replace or supplement your current heating system while also providing complete air conditioning.

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