What is a Heat Pump?

In the summer, a heat pump removes heat from inside your home and replaces it with cool air. Simply speaking, it works just like a conventional, high-efficiency air conditioner.

In the winter, the system works in reverse. It removes available heat from the air outside your home (yes, there is heat in cold outdoor air) and moves it indoors, providing an even, comfortable temperature level throughout your home. There are seldom any warm or cold spots such as those that exist when a gas furnace alone is used.

When outdoor temperatures drop below 20 degrees or so, a back-up heating system -- usually an existing gas furnace -- automatically provides supplemental heat. Studies show that in the OPPD service area, winter temperatures are below 20 degrees only about 15 percent of the heating season. That means that a heat pump provides sufficient heat for about 85 percent of the heating season. That's more than enough time to help you save energy and save money on your annual heating and cooling costs.