A heat pump is a machine or device that can either be used to heat or cool an area.

Some of the most common appliances that use a heat pump system are food refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners.

In basic terms a heat pump moves heat from one source to another.

The area where the heat is taken from is always hotter than the area the heat is being delivered to. Heat can be sourced from a number of locations such as the air, ground or water.

A heat pump is a good way to save money on energy bills as it can be used to preheat water.

However, it cannot be depended on as a sole source of heat in the home. For example it will not provide a hot enough water temperature for bathing or washing alone.

Heat pump systems are highly efficient.

Also because they use renewable energy some forms qualify for the upcoming Renewable Heat Incentive (e.g. ground source heat pumps).

Heat pumps can be used throughout the entire year. In the winter to heat a home and in the summer to cool it when the operation is run in reverse. In addition, a heat pump is very low maintenance.