Heat pumps operate by using a process known as heat transfer to drag heat from the outside into your household or office.
They operate like a reverse fan during the winter or cold climatic seasons; they transfer heat instead of generating heat. Once the refrigerant loses pressure, it becomes a vapor, meaning it gets colder compared to the outside temperature. According to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics: heat flows from hot to cold. Therefore, the refrigerant draws in heat from the ambient air outside. Once it absorbs all the heat required, the outside compressor pressurizes the gas to form a hot liquid. After which, the hot refrigerant liquid travels to the indoor coils, whereby the coils and blowers allow the heat to be released into your duct system. When it's cold outside, you might think there is no heat to absorb, especially during winter. Fortunately, heat still exists to be harvested, even in shallow temperatures of about -15° C/5° F.