About Heat Pumps

Heat pumps operate on the same basic principle as a refrigerator, using electricity to move thermal energy. They work by extracting heat from the air, ground, or water outside a building and transferring it indoors. In warmer months, the process can be reversed to provide cooling.

Most residential systems are air-source heat pumps, which absorb heat from the outside air—even in sub-zero temperatures—and release it indoors. Ground-source (geothermal) and water-source systems are also available, though less common due to installation complexity.

Energy Efficiency and Emissions

Because heat pumps move heat instead of creating it, they can be up to 3–4 times more efficient than fossil fuel-based systems. In Norway, where 60% of households use heat pumps, widespread adoption has led to substantial reductions in emissions and heating costs[1].

Performance in Cold Climates

Heat pumps are getting more and more effective in the cold. For example, there are now cold-temperature heat pumps which can work down to -30°C. [2] In some places in the world, that does mean still needing a secondary heat source as a backup unit during cold snaps, but that may chance in the future.

Adoption and Innovation

In the UK, pilot projects like Britain’s first heat pump village are testing community-scale adoption. Residents reported lower energy bills and quieter operation compared to gas systems [3].

Videos like “Why Heat Pumps Might Be The Future” and “The Surprising Truth About Heat Pumps” provide accessible visual explanations, highlighting the climate impact and technical advantages of heat pumps.