What is a heat pump and how does it work?

Short answer: a heat pump moves heat instead of creating it. In winter it moves heat from the outdoor air into your home, even when it's cold outside. In summer it moves heat out, like an air conditioner.

How it works

Refrigerant circulates between the indoor and outdoor units. As it evaporates it absorbs heat, and as it condenses it releases heat. Reversing the direction switches the system between heating and cooling.

Benefits

• Efficiency: when properly installed, a heat pump uses a half to a third of the energy of electric baseboard heating or a gas furnace.
• Lower carbon footprint: for an average home heated by natural gas, switching cuts emissions by about as much as not driving a car for 9 months of the year. This varies by region.
• Year-round comfort: one system replaces both your air conditioner and your heating.

Comparing models? See LETO vs AURA.