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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.
End to end service. From quote, overseeing installation, contacting and making arrangements for energy audit. Warranty program is comprehensive. Cleaned up mess of assistant walking through my place without proper indoor foot covering when I pointed out that I was not happy about footprints on my floors.
In April we hired Twintech Heating & Cooling to replace our 20 year old water tank & 35 year old air conditioner. We got 5 estimates for the job & decided to go with Twintech for the following reasons.
- The Sales Manager, Dave, was very personable & knowledgeable as all of our questions were answered. (We had a list of questions we asked each of the contractors when we got the estimates)
- We got 5 estimates for the job. All contractors verbally told us they had the required qualifications but Dave was the only one to physically show us their license & insurance documentation.
- Twintech carried the Napoleon air conditioner & we wanted to support Canadian industry as it is assembled in Barrie On.
Safety is important at Twintech as demonstrated when we discussed with Dave, the need to change our install date because of freezing rain. Access was required by navigating a set of outside steps & Dave identified that safety took precedence.
On the installation date, Greg, Peter & Grant showed up on time & methodically accomplished the removal & installation of both units. The guys did a great job cleaning up as well.
When the job was completed we mentioned to Greg that we were pleased with the work they had done & were going to have them come out & do our furnace inspection in Sept. Greg said we can save our money as he had inspected the heat exchanger on the furnace while doing the job & there was no need to have another inspection in Sept. We were very impressed with Gregs initiative. This is top shelf service. Thank you Greg.
As the weather was too cool to complete a functional test of the air conditioner on the installation date, Dave made a follow-up call to us to see how things were going & Greg also came out to check the operation. No problems.
We are very happy we hired professionals like Dave, Greg, Grant & Peter & have no hesitation in recommending Twintech Heating & Cooling. They will now be our "go to" guys.
These guys are the best. From start to finish they exceeded my expectations and delivered a great product. They accommodated the nuances of my 100 year old home which was really appreciated. The install was easy to schedule and done fantastically. Im so excited to have an efficiently heated and cooled home.
Twintech were fast and efficient contractors. It only took 48 hours between an initial home visit and complete installation. The workmen were polite and hardworking. The site was left clean with the old furnace etc. removed. They helped arrange an environmental assessment in order that I could receive the maximum rebate. They even called me within a week to determine if I was satisfied with their work and to reassure me that I could call them anytime I experienced heating difficulties or had any questions. I recommend Twintech for your heating problems.
Courteous and professional service from initial consultation through to the installation. We highly recommend Twintech for outstanding service in the industry. Competitive pricing, professional and accurate advice, attention to detail, respect for their client's home and cleaning up at the completion of installation.
Last night was the coldest day of the year so far and I woke up to my house being 54 degrees... I called Twintech at 2:45am and Greg was on site by 3:30am. The furnace required a part and he returned to his shop and came back to my home around 4:15am, furnace up and running by 4:30am. THANK YOU TWINTECH! Your service is second to none.
After much research & getting 4 quotes, we hired Twintech team for our new furnace installation, prices were fair, they carried great product brands & more importantly installation was expertly done by one of the owners (Greg & his assistant Peter) which gave me an added piece of mind. Dave was very organized & answered all my questions in great detail, especially re: the Enbridge & Govt. rebate program.
My old air conditioner was 20 years old and developed a Freon leak and it was more cost effective to replace rather than repair. There are a large number of heating and air conditioning companies available in my area so I contacted several for quotes. Twintech heating and cooling responded quickly to the inquiry I left on their website and their sales person Dave came by the following day. He was knowledgeable about the field and was able to show copies of the various refrigeration and gas fitting licenses along with workmens compensation, TSSA and other certifications. He also suggested a particular manufacturer and model of AC unit appropriate to my house and gave me a quote. Since the price was reasonable, service had been good and the reviews on the internet were also good, I decided to purchase an AC unit from them. Installation was quickly scheduled. They showed up on time, did a good job installing the new unit including some sheet metal work to get the new heat exchanger to fit in the furnace duct, and cleaned up afterward. In addition, they noticed that my existing AC was installed too close to the furnace exhaust (based on building code) and were able to mount the new AC the appropriate distance from the exhaust. Overall, they did an excellent job and were a pleasure to work with.
All interactions from sales to installation were Courteous and professional. The installation was seamless and the attention to detail including clean up was outstanding. I highly recommend TwinTech Heating and Cooling.
Twintech's Salesman Dave arrived promptly was friendly and courteous, listened and assured us the installation would be completed according to our requests. The crew arrived early morning on May 11th, 2018 and worked through till late afternoon non-stop. They were very friendly, very professional, their expertise was excellent, their workmanship outstanding and the installation was completed in a timely and efficient manner. We were completely satisfied and happy with the quality of the work.
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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!
Amazing experience with TwinTech Heating & Cooling! Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and efficient from start to finish. They installed my new furnace quickly and left everything spotless. The technicians took the time to explain everything and made sure I was comfortable with the system before they left. Great customer service and fair pricing. I highly recommend them for anyone needing HVAC services!
Great experience all around. Bob was sharp and easy to talk to, and Greg handled the installation perfectly. Would hire them again in a heartbeat.
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