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How a Heat Pump Actually Works
Posted On: September 18, 2025
If you’ve been hearing more about heat pumps lately, you’re not alone.
Across the Durham Region and throughout Canada, more homeowners are making the switch to this energy-efficient technology.
At Twintech Heating & Cooling, one of the most common questions we get is: “How does a heat pump actually work?” Let’s break it down.
Heat Pumps Move Heat – They Don’t Generate It
Unlike a furnace, which burns fuel to create heat, a heat pump moves heat from one place to another using electricity.
In the winter, it pulls heat from the outdoor air (yes, even when it’s cold outside!) and transfers it into your home.
In the summer, the process reverses, pulling heat out of your home and releasing it outside to keep you cool.
This process is possible thanks to a special refrigerant cycle that absorbs, transfers, and releases heat as it circulates through the system.
The Key Components of a Heat Pump
A heat pump has four main parts that work together:
Evaporator Coil – This is where the refrigerant absorbs heat.
In heating mode, the coil is outside, pulling heat from the air.
In cooling mode, it’s inside, pulling heat from your home’s air.
Compressor – The compressor increases the refrigerant’s pressure and temperature, allowing it to release heat more effectively.
Condenser Coil – This is where the refrigerant releases the heat it’s carrying.
In heating mode, it’s inside your home, warming your indoor air.
Expansion Valve – This component controls the flow of refrigerant, reducing its pressure so it can absorb heat again and restart the cycle.
Reversible Operation
What makes a heat pump so versatile is its reversing valve.
This special part switches the direction of the refrigerant flow, allowing the same system to both heat and cool your home.
Think of it as an air conditioner that can run in reverse.
Energy Efficiency Benefits
Because a heat pump transfers heat instead of generating it, it can deliver up to three times more energy than it consumes in electricity.
That means you get reliable comfort with significantly lower energy usage compared to electric baseboards or older furnaces.
Perfect for Durham Region Homes
Today’s cold-climate heat pumps are designed to work efficiently even when temperatures dip well below freezing, making them an excellent choice for Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, and other Durham Region communities.
Get Professional Installation
Understanding how a heat pump works is just the first step.
To get the most out of your system, you need professional installation.
At Twintech Heating & Cooling, we carefully size, install, and test every heat pump we sell to ensure maximum performance and efficiency.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
May 16, 2021
Appreciated a quick response to my request. Dave and Greg were very professional and made the experience seamless.
Feb 1, 2021
Very professional through the entire process. Installation and removel was done on a sloppy winter day, they put down runners on the floors and stairs and when they left, there wasn;t any sign of someone being in our house. Furnace works great as promised.
Feb 1, 2021
Dave was very pleasant to deal with and Twintech responded quickly when our furnace needed to be replaced ASAP. Installation was done on time and the crew were neat and tidy. We now have a great furnace that suits the needs of our family.
Feb 1, 2021
When your furnace kicks in over the holidays and you're not sure where to turn.. I'm so thankful that this company returned my phone call. I appreciated their transparency and clarity which allowed me to make an informed decision. With various quotes thrown at you, it can be difficult to make the right decision and trust the solutions offered by different companies. TwinTech spoke the truth and delivered on their word. Neat, timely and clean service; the peace of mind I needed during a very cold holiday season. I highly recommend them!
Feb 1, 2021
Pulling a old unit out and installing a modern heating system! Required drilling holes in the wall for the newer pipes. We went from 70% (I am willing to bet it was far less due to lack of maintenance and just old) to 96% newer . It now feels warmer and more pressure and we use to run extra heaters and feel as though they are not necessary!
Feb 1, 2021
I received three quotes before deciding to choose Twintech. Dave's prices was much more reasonable than the competitors. I most appreciated their honest recommendations. Others tried to oversell their products and services. Thank you Dave!
Feb 1, 2021
They had the best price and did a great job on the installation. Recommend them to anyone.
Feb 1, 2021
It was a amazing and professional high quality job
Friendly and very helpful representatives
Thank you for understanding my concern
And explain very well
Overall we pleased with your service
Tanks
May 15, 2020
My 19 year old furnace stopped working when the cold weather hit in November, and I was left without heat. I interviewed several companies and found TWINTECH HEATING and COOLING to be very knowledgeable, quick to respond to my inquiries and very competitively priced.
Dave provided all of the information and pricing ahead of time and set up the appointment for the installation. Greg and Mitch arrived on time to do the installation and worked quickly and efficiently to complete the job.
After the completion of the installation, Dave followed up to ensure that everything was working well and that I didn't have any concerns.
Overall, this was a low-stress and flawless experience from start to finish. I would highly recommend TWINTECH HEATING and COOLING to anyone that requires a new furnace.
May 14, 2020
Our 20 year old furnace broke down during the first cold weekend this past November and our usual HVAC company never returned our phone call. Their loss, missing out on a sale since we didn't want to spend much fixing an old furnace and our 40 year old air conditioner was also long overdue for replacement. We proceeded in obtaining three different quotes for furnace and air conditioner replacement, and proceeded with the one we received from Twintech.
Dave was friendly, knowledgable and accommodating to our schedule and provided with us with a price that fell in the middle of the three quotes that we had. We felt that the Amana furnace and air conditioner he quoted us on were the best products and value offered to us and felt most comfortable with the professionalism and reputation of Twintech.
Greg, Grant and Mitch were at our house for installation the day after we decided to proceed. The guys were friendly and informative, the job was completed efficiently and workmanship appears excellent. Our house is certainly much more comfortable with the new two-stage variable speed Amana furnace compared to the old clunker! And, we're looking forward to enjoying the new air conditioner once summer rolls around again. Thanks Twintech!
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