How a Heat Pump Works (in Plain English)

A heat pump heats and cools your home by moving heat rather than creating it. In summer it pulls heat out of your house and dumps it outside (exactly like an air conditioner). In winter it runs in reverse — pulling heat from the outdoor air and bringing it inside. Because it transfers heat instead of burning fuel, it can deliver three to four units of heat for every unit of electricity it uses.

The basic cycle

A refrigerant circulates between an outdoor unit and an indoor coil, changing between liquid and gas to absorb and release heat:

• Evaporator coil absorbs heat from the air.
• Compressor raises the refrigerant's pressure and temperature.
• Condenser coil releases the heat.
• A reversing valve flips the direction so the same equipment can heat or cool.

Why heat pumps fit Central Texas

Our mild winters are close to ideal for heat pumps — they're most efficient when outdoor temperatures stay above freezing, which describes most of the Austin-metro heating season. On the rare hard freeze, modern systems use a small electric backup (or a gas furnace in a dual-fuel setup) to keep up. For homeowners weighing options, see our comparison of heat pumps vs. furnaces and what SEER2 efficiency means for your bill.

Thinking about an upgrade? Our team installs and services heat pumps across the area — see our services or request a free estimate.