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A Homeowner’s Basic Guide to Heat Pumps
If you’re looking for an efficient way to heat and cool your home, heat pumps are an option worth considering.
These all-in-one systems provide year-round comfort while helping you save on energy bills.
But what exactly is a heat pump, and how does it work?
This simple guide breaks down everything homeowners need to know about heat pumps.
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is a heating and cooling system that moves heat instead of generating it.
In the winter, it extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it indoors.
In the summer, it reverses the process, removing heat from your home to keep it cool.
Unlike traditional systems that rely on separate units for heating (like a furnace) and cooling (like an air conditioner), a heat pump does both—making it a convenient, energy-efficient solution.
Types of Heat Pumps
There are a few common types of heat pumps:
Air-Source Heat Pumps: These pull heat from the outside air and are the most popular choice for residential homes.
Ground-Source (Geothermal) Heat Pumps: These draw heat from the ground and are extremely efficient but more expensive to install.
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps: Great for homes without ductwork, these systems offer zoned heating and cooling.
How Heat Pumps Work Year-Round
Winter: The heat pump pulls warmth from the outside air (even in cold temperatures) and brings it indoors to heat your home.
Summer: It works in reverse, moving warm air from inside your home to the outdoors, just like an air conditioner.
This dual function helps homeowners stay comfortable all year long with just one system.
Benefits of Heat Pumps
Energy Efficient – Uses less electricity than traditional heating systems
Lower Utility Bills – Saves money by reducing energy usage
Environmentally Friendly – Reduces your home’s carbon footprint
Heating + Cooling in One – Eliminates the need for separate systems
Quiet Operation – Runs more quietly than many HVAC systems Is a Heat Pump Right for Your Home?
Heat pumps are ideal for:
Homes in moderate to cold climates
Homeowners seeking energy savings
Houses with or without ductwork
People looking to reduce their reliance on gas or oil
Thanks to advancements in technology, modern heat pumps can even perform well in freezing temperatures, making them suitable for a wide range of climates.
What to Expect from Installation
Professional installation is key to getting the best performance from your heat pump.
An HVAC contractor will:
Evaluate your home’s size and layout
Recommend the right type and size of unit
Install the system and test its operation
Explain how to use and maintain it for efficiency Maintenance Tips
To keep your heat pump running efficiently:
Change filters regularly (every 1–2 months)
Keep the outdoor unit free of debris
Schedule annual professional maintenance
Use a programmable thermostat to optimize settings Final Thoughts
A heat pump is a smart, modern solution for homeowners who want efficient, reliable, year-round comfort.
Whether you're building a new home or upgrading an old HVAC system, a heat pump can lower your energy bills and increase your indoor comfort.
We are very happy with our new furnace. The service was excellent the guys worked 6 hours straight through and there was no mess at all they took the old furnace boxs etc with them they then explained everything to us they were very helpful and pleasant , when we need a new air conditioner we know who to call!
The crew from sales to installation was very professional and had great attention to detail
We couldnt have been more impressed with Twintech - from our first service call with Mitch who took the time to thoroughly diagnose the issue with our furnace, to Dave who proposed a well thought out solution to meet our needs and finally Greg and team who acted quickly to install given we had no heat.
We did our due diligence by soliciting quotes from alternate providers and were shocked and disappointed by the aggressive and manipulative tactics used.
Twintech was honest in their approach, detailed in their product knowledge, reasonably priced, diligent in their follow-up and valued our business.
Well done Twintech! You made this a positive experience for us and our new furnace works beautifully!
We recently purchased an Amana high efficiency furnace and humdifier through Twintech. The work was completed very professionally and the quality of the workmanship was high. There was some additional sheet metal work required to complete the installation, which they were able to complete themselves. Overall I am very pleased with the work and would highly recommend Twintech for a furnace replacement.
We were very pleased with every aspect of the work that was done. They were very professional and polite. They arrived when they said they would and job was completed on estimated time
We would highly recommend them to whoever needed a recommendation
We have a very large dog and they were very understanding and respectful of him being around
The blower on our furnace stopped working leaving us with a cold house. Dave from TwinTech responded immediately to our HomeStars service request. From beginning to end Dave was nothing but helpful, friendly and professional, he did a great job of walking us through the quote and scope of work.
The replacement of the furnace went smoothly. The Guys did a great job, everyone was very friendly and polite. There were no hiccups, or unexpected costs. The only surprise was they left the work area cleaner than it was before they started.
Was a great experience with the whole TwinTech team. Its been a couple of months since the new furnace has been installed and its working great!
I heard about TwinTech when researching new furnaces at furnaceprices.ca. After contacting them about my broken down furnace, Dave came to my house the next day to assess my situation and requirements for a new furnace. He recommended one that had stainless steel heat exchangers which sold me since my previous furnace had issues with a rusted secondary heat exchanger that had to be replaced. Dave also set me up with an appointment with an energy audit company so that I could take advantage of a rebate to help improve the energy efficiency of my home and get some money back. A few days later, Greg, Grant, and Mitch came to install the new furnace and remove the old one. When delivering and removing the furnaces, they were very careful not to damage my floors and walls, and even laid out red carpeting to protect the floors. They were very friendly and professional. The installation was completed in the time they said it would take and they cleaned up their work areas. Within a week, Dave called to follow-up to see how everything was going. I have already recommended them to several friends and family members who may need new furnaces soon.
Twintech did a great job, from Dave the Sales Rep to the Office staff and The Professional Technicians who did the installation. They were professional, courteous, knowledgable and informative. From beginning to follow up we were completely satisfied with everything. Thanks Again. Sincerely The Laytons
Great product, great service, great follow-up. The Twintech Heating and Cooling arranged removal of my existing oil tank and they installed the new gas furnace Amana (made in USA). I am very happy with the final result and support I received throughout the process. My thanks go to the entire Twintech team for their professionalism, great communication and follow-up.
We've had Twintech provide us with work in the past, for an inground pool heater and required rough-in for a new gas stove. More recently they provided the same friendly, professional, timely and clean installation of our new furnace.
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We are very happy to recommend this company to everyone. Our furnace broke down on Sunday morning. We phoned them and before noon Grant the owner showed up. He worked on the furnace for about a hour not wanting to give up to fix the problem. The furnace was 17 years old. I was the one talking about replacing it. End result was the next day it was all done. On the Sunday Bob came over with heaters to warm up the house. We decided to replace the water heater at the same time. Thanks Grant for the excellent work. Thumbs up.
Right on time. Explained how to work the HRV in a different way so the house would not be so dry. Changed my whole house water filter for me as well. Friendly, helpful, caring service!
Very pleased with the professional service that TwinTech Heating and Cooling provided in replacing my furnace. I got several quotes from different service providers. Their price was excellent and they explained the features very well. We are very glad we went with TwinTech and highly recommend their services.
We were new homeowners in need of a second opinion. TwinTech Heating & Cooling were Amazing and professional. Very knowledgeable and great service all around. Recommend to anyone looking for honest and reliable services. Treated with respect and care. Thank you Greg, Mitch and Bob!
TwinTech is an excellent and honest company! I called them for a second opinion after being told by another company that I needed to replace my furnace. Turns out this was not the case at all! I did not need a new furnace. TwinTech did not push to make an unnecessary sale and saved me from a huge expense. Bob and Mitch were extremely professional and above all honest! I definitely recommend TwinTech!
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