How does a heat pump differ from a conventional heater?

A heat pump is designed to both heat and cool a space, which is a significant distinction from conventional heaters. Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one area to another using a refrigeration cycle. In heating mode, they capture heat from the outside air (or ground) and transfer it indoors. Conversely, in cooling mode, they reverse this process by absorbing heat from the indoor environment and discharging it outside. This dual functionality allows heat pumps to be versatile climate control systems.

In contrast, traditional heating systems like furnaces typically only provide heating functionality and do not offer cooling capabilities. These systems often rely on natural gas or electricity to generate heat and do not involve transferring heat as heat pumps do. Therefore, the capability of a heat pump to perform both heating and cooling makes it more efficient and adaptable compared to conventional heaters, which are limited to heating only.