ABOUT HEAT PUMPS...
A heat pump is a mechanical refrigeration system that operates in two modes, heating and cooling. In cooling mode, the heat pump takes indoor heat and pumps it outside, just like a standard air conditioner. In heating mode, the process is reversed: the heat pump takes outside heat and pumps it inside. Although it feels cold outside, the air still has heat in it that the heat pump can use as a source of heat. The fact that the heat pump moves heat from one place to the other (as opposed to creating heat directly from electricity or gas) is the key to it's remarkable efficiency. A heat pump usually produces over 3 times more heat per watt of electricity than standard electric heating.
While some heat pumps use outside air as their source of heat, others use the heat available under the ground or in a water well. These are called
In extremely cold conditions, the heat pump may require assistance from another source of heat, known as "auxiliary heating". Auxiliary heating is less efficient than the heat pump, so it is best to use the heat pump instead of the auxiliary heat.
For normal and most efficient operation, the
The heat pump is used first, auxiliary heat is used only if necessary.
In EMERGENCY HEAT mode, the
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