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How Do Heat Pumps Work? A Complete Guide for Toronto Homeowners

If you’ve ever wondered, “How do heat pumps work?”—especially with Toronto’s changing seasons—you’re not alone! More and more homeowners in the GTA are choosing heat pumps for their impressive efficiency, eco-friendliness, and ability to provide both heating and cooling. At Temperature Care, we believe in empowering our customers with knowledge. Here’s a complete, easy-to-understand guide to how heat pumps work.

What Is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a device that transfers heat from one place to another. Unlike traditional furnaces that create heat by burning fuel, heat pumps move heat using electricity and a special refrigerant. This makes them much more energy efficient.

For a technical overview, visit Energy Star’s Guide to Heat Pumps.

How Does a Heat Pump Work in Winter?

Extracting Outdoor Heat: Even when it’s cold outside (down to -25°C with modern systems), there is still heat energy in the air. The heat pump’s outdoor unit absorbs this heat using refrigerant coils.
Compression: The refrigerant is compressed, raising its temperature.
Heat Release Indoors: The hot refrigerant is sent inside, where it releases its heat via another coil. A fan circulates this warm air throughout your home.
Cycle Repeats: The refrigerant then returns outdoors to collect more heat, repeating the process.

How Does a Heat Pump Work in Summer?

Heat pumps can reverse direction! In summer, the process flips:

The indoor unit absorbs heat from your home and sends it outside.
The system works just like an air conditioner, keeping you cool and comfortable.

Learn more at U.S. Department of Energy: Heat Pump Systems.

Types of Heat Pumps

Air Source Heat Pumps: Most common in Toronto; transfers heat between your home and the outdoor air.
Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pumps: Transfers heat between your home and the ground; even more efficient, but higher upfront cost.
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps: Ideal for homes without ductwork or for room-by-room control.

See Natural Resources Canada’s heat pump info.

Why Are Heat Pumps So Efficient?

Heat pumps don’t create heat—they just move it. For every unit of electricity used, they can deliver 2–3 units of heat energy. That’s why they’re one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool homes, especially with today’s high energy costs.

Are Heat Pumps Effective in Toronto’s Cold Climate?

Yes! Modern “cold climate” heat pumps work efficiently even during Toronto’s coldest days. Some models provide reliable heating down to -25°C. Many homeowners pair their heat pump with a backup furnace for extreme conditions—a “dual fuel” or “hybrid” system.

More: Clean Energy Canada – Heat Pumps in Cold Climates