How does a heat pump work in winter?

A heat pump works in winter by extracting heat from the outside air, even at low temperatures, and transferring it indoors to provide heating. It operates on a refrigeration cycle similar to an air conditioner but in reverse.

How it works:

1. Evaporation: The outdoor coil contains a refrigerant that absorbs heat from the cold air, causing it to evaporate into a gas.
2. Compression: The refrigerant gas is compressed, raising its temperature and pressure.
3. Condensation: The hot, high-pressure gas flows to the indoor coil, where it releases heat to the indoor air and condenses back into a liquid.
4. Expansion: The refrigerant passes through an expansion valve, lowering its pressure and temperature, ready to absorb heat again.

Efficiency in winter:

• Modern heat pumps can operate efficiently even at temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F) or lower.
• Some models are equipped with auxiliary heating systems for extremely cold conditions.

Note: The efficiency depends on the outdoor temperature and the type of heat pump. In very cold climates, a heat pump may be supplemented with traditional heating methods.