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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:
Jul 23, 2017
I have used Twintech many times over the years. They always arrive quickly and get the issue fixed. The most recent incident was when my air conditioner broke last week I called Greg at 11:30am and he was at my home by 2:30pm he had the unit fixed by 3:30pm. Twintech are very reliable and honest and they are experts in the field. I have already recommended them to many of my friends. I would not use anyone but them for my heating and air conditioning issues.
Jul 17, 2017
I would highly recommend these guys, professional, fast and competitive pricing. I moved into this place with no working AC unit with a 8 month baby, he was able to come with in a week to fix even in the busy summer days. He really values his customers , I am already recommending to my neighbors.
Jul 2, 2017
Very impressed they arrive to quote even though I had forgotten to call them back to confirm date & time. They showed the day before installation to deliver the unit. Returned the next day as promised at 9am. Project was completed in a professional manner. They even fixed a few things that they noticed were not installed correctly, or to code by previous heating & air contractors we had at our residence before. Would recommend this company to everyone!
Jun 29, 2017
Greg removed old oil furnace and oil tank from basement relocated new Napoleon propane furnace to allow duct work to be rerouted to a much more suitable location. Moved air conditioner to the new furnace. Dave recommended two available grants to assist with cost. They kept to their original quoted price which was substantially lower than a competitors for the same furnace and work. They completed the work as stated when stated and left the area clean and tidy. We are very pleased with the outcome.
Jun 28, 2017
Twintech installed a Goodman furnace and ac init. Very professional install, both units are working well.
Jun 28, 2017
We had Grant and Greg Dainty quote to replace our 20 yr old furnace. I have known them for years and have had other jobs done by them ( AC and Pool Htr). The price was very reasonable and the job was completed in one day.
Jun 23, 2017
TwinTech was the right choice. Our consultation with Dave set the tone. Professional and knowledgeable, we even received a follow-up call within hours of our install completion, wow! TwinTech arrived as scheduled to install our A/C unit. Within minutes of arrival Greg noted and explained a few out of code faults on our furnace installed by another company, problems fixed, thanks TwinTech. Greg, Grant and "Subaru" Pete were meticulous start to finish. Highly recommended!
Jun 13, 2017
Twintech replaced our aging +20 yrs old Furnace & AC with the variable high efficiency Napoleon Furnace matched with the Goodman AC. Sales guy ,Dave was great, gave a no pressure estimate, explained about the Government Rebate program which they took care of completely including arranging the home energy audit. On the scheduled day Greg and his team arrived on time, did a great job and completed the same day , extremely professional and courteous, cleaned up everything , tested the system, Greg took his time to explain the setup. Very impressed with the Napoleon Furnace 9600 which did a great job in maintaining a comfortable temperature last winter and now with the hot weather the Goodman AC cooled the house in much less time than the old AC unit could ever. From start to finish Twintech were great and have no hesitation in recommending them 100%.
Jun 13, 2017
The Twintech team did an excellent job installing our new Goodman air conditioner. They were polite and professional. Greg was knowledgeable and clearly experienced. Thank you Twintech for bringing our cooling system up to current regulations. Job well done!
Jun 11, 2017
Dave from TwinTech was very knowledgeable, professional and thorough in the buying process. He helped us to identify the best furnace for our home and our budget. When we needed a new filter a year later and seemed to have a problem finding the right one, I called Dave up and he delivered a filter to me the next day! The cost was on par with other retailers, but it was this unexpected personal service that really was impressive. The furnace? Works like a charm.
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