A heat pump is an energy-efficient system that can both cool and heat your home. It does this by transferring heat from one location to another rather than generating it. In hot weather, the heat pump moves warm air from your home outside. Then, as the weather cools the reversing valve allows this system to reverse and the heat pump moves heat into your home. 

There are two main sources heat pumps use:  

• Air Source Heat Pump – Heat is transferred between the air inside your home and the air outside your home. This is the most common type of heat pump in Canada. Centrally ducted air source heat pumps look very similar to an outdoor air conditioning unit however, air conditioners are typically placed on the ground whereas air source heat pumps are typically mounted on a wall or placed on legs.
• Ground Source Heat Pump – Heat is transferred between the air inside your home and the ground outside your home. These systems work by circulating liquid through an outdoor loop made up of pipes. This can either be a closed-loop system or an open-loop system that ties into the water table. Loop construction, while long-lasting, requires excavation, and a good amount of ground space making it unsuitable for many urban locations where space is limited. If there is space for their installation, however, these systems work incredibly efficiently and are an amazing option. – Learn more here