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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:
Aug 8, 2025
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.
Aug 8, 2025
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!
Feb 18, 2025
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.
Feb 18, 2025
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!
Feb 18, 2025
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!
Feb 18, 2025
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!
Feb 18, 2025
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.
Aug 17, 2024
I returned from vacation to find my AC unit on the Fritz. After calling way too many places I connected with TwinTech. Ive used the company in the past for my furnace so I was happy when I recognized Greg at my front door. Hes great and the service is always top notch. Id highly recommend using twintech for honest, superior service in the Durham region. Thanks!
Aug 13, 2024
I called Twin Tech when my air conditioning stopped working. Greg came over to diagnose the issue - the same day. He was able to diagnose the issue and resolve it quite quickly. Although it was a quick fix, Greg was very thorough in explaining the issue and provided great advice. Not to mention, I felt very comfortable having Greg in my home - which I consider very important when hiring a service provider. Twin Tech will be my go-to from now on. Thank you!!
Aug 12, 2024
Just hired TwinTech Heating & Cooling to do an A/C Unit removal & reinstall to allow for landscaping access on the side of my house, and they were wonderful!
Bob, Greg & Mitch make a great team! Quick appointment times, super knowledgeable, expert troubleshooting capabilities & very customer service oriented.
I would highly recommend them for all of your HVAC needs! Great job guys!!
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