If you’re exploring ways to make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient, you’ve probably seen heat pumps mentioned repeatedly. They’re known for their ability to heat and cool your home, operate quietly, and reduce energy costs. But if you’re asking yourself, “How does a heat pump work?”, you’re not alone. Many homeowners have heard of heat pumps but aren’t entirely sure what sets them apart from traditional furnaces and air conditioners.
This guide explains how heat pumps operate, why they’re so efficient, and what makes them an excellent option for homes in the Hampton Roads area.
The Basics: Heat Pumps Move Heat Instead of Creating It
The easiest way to understand how a heat pump works is to look at what it doesn’t do. Unlike a furnace that burns gas or oil to create heat, a heat pump simply relocates heat from one place to another. This process uses far less energy, making heat pumps highly efficient.
Heat pumps use a closed refrigeration cycle to move heat. The system includes an outdoor unit, an indoor air handler, refrigerant, a compressor, a reversing valve, and coils located in both units. Together, these components transfer heat in or out of your home depending on the season.
Think of it like a two-way air conditioner. Your AC removes heat from inside your home and sends it outside. A heat pump can do that too—but it can also reverse the process and bring heat indoors.
How a Heat Pump Works in Heating Mode
Most people are surprised to learn that outdoor air still contains heat energy—even in cold weather. Modern heat pumps, especially the high-efficiency models we install and service at MSCO, are designed to capture that heat and transfer it indoors.
Here’s how the heating process works:
1. The outdoor unit absorbs heat
When your thermostat calls for heat, the refrigerant inside the outdoor coil becomes very cold. Because heat naturally moves toward cold, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outdoor air—even when temperatures are low.
2. The refrigerant is compressed
The compressor then increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant, turning it into a hot, high-energy gas.
3. Heat enters your home
The hot refrigerant flows into the indoor coil, where the air handler blows air across it. As warm air circulates through your home, the refrigerant cools and returns to a liquid state.
4. The cycle repeats
The refrigerant moves back outside to absorb more heat, and the process continues until the thermostat reaches your desired temperature.
Because the system is moving heat—a naturally existing energy source—it uses far less electricity than electric resistance heaters or old, inefficient furnaces.
How a Heat Pump Works in Cooling Mode
In cooling mode, the heat pump functions almost exactly like a central air conditioner.
Here’s what happens during summer operation:
1. Heat is removed from inside your home
Warm indoor air passes over the cold evaporator coil. The refrigerant absorbs that heat and evaporates into a gas.
2. Heat is carried outside
The refrigerant travels to the outdoor unit, where the heat is released through the condenser coil.
3. Your home cools down
As heat exits your home, the refrigerant returns to a liquid state and flows back indoors to absorb more heat.
4. Humidity is reduced
During cooling, heat pumps also dehumidify your home. As warm air hits the cold evaporator coil, moisture condenses and drains away, making your home feel cooler and more comfortable.
This dual-function operation—heating and cooling in one system—is one of the major advantages of owning a heat pump.
The Key Component: The Reversing Valve
One of the most important parts of a heat pump is the reversing valve, which allows the system to switch between heating and cooling modes.
With a simple electrical signal from your thermostat, the reversing valve changes the direction of refrigerant flow. That’s what allows the same system to warm your home in winter and cool it in summer.
Without the reversing valve, a heat pump would essentially function as a one-way air conditioner.
Why Heat Pumps Are So Efficient
When homeowners ask, “How does a heat pump work?” they usually follow up with “Why are they so efficient?” The answer comes down to physics: it’s much easier to move heat than to create it.
Instead of burning fuel, heat pumps transfer heat using electricity and refrigerant. This can reduce energy usage by 30–50% compared to traditional systems.
Other reasons for their efficiency include:
- Variable-speed technology that adjusts output based on need
- Heat-transfer coils designed for optimal performance
- Advanced refrigerants that carry heat more effectively
- Smart thermostats that help maintain steady indoor temperatures
Modern heat pumps are even more advanced, allowing them to produce reliable heat even during the coldest winter days.
Defrost Cycles: A Normal Part of Operation
During the winter, you might notice steam rising from your outdoor heat pump. This is typically the result of a defrost cycle, a built-in feature that keeps your system operating efficiently.
Moisture in the air can freeze on the outdoor coil. When that happens, the heat pump temporarily switches to the cooling mode to warm the outdoor coil and melt the frost. Then it switches back to the heating mode.
Defrost cycles are normal and help maintain efficiency and airflow. If they happen too often, however, that may indicate a need for maintenance.
Do Heat Pumps Work in Cold Weather?
Yes, heat pumps work in cold weather, but system quality and proper installation matter. High-efficiency heat pumps are designed to perform well in moderate and mild climates like ours here in Virginia Beach. Even when temperatures dip into the 30s or 40s, today’s systems continue delivering consistent heat.
In extreme cold, heat pumps may rely on auxiliary heat strips or a dual-fuel system. These backup options ensure your home stays warm no matter what the weather brings.
Request a Free Heat Pump Installation Estimate
Now that you know how a heat pump works, you can feel more confident about choosing an HVAC system for your home. If you’re interested in installing a heat pump in your home in Virginia Beach or anywhere in the Hampton Roads area, MSCO Inc. Heating & Cooling is here to help.
We’ve been serving local families since 1955, and our technicians are trained on Trane, Bosch, and ClimateMaster systems.
Call MSCO today at (757) 427-0016 to request an installation estimate.
