Definition
A heat pump is HVAC equipment that moves heat rather than burning fuel to create it. In summer it pulls heat out of your home like an air conditioner; in winter it reverses and pulls heat from the outdoor air to warm the house — even when it's cold outside. Because it transfers heat instead of generating it, a heat pump can deliver several units of heat for each unit of electricity.
Why this matters for your home
Modern cold-climate heat pumps work well through most of a West Michigan winter and provide efficient air conditioning the rest of the year from one system. Many Grand Rapids homeowners pair a heat pump with a backup furnace (a dual-fuel system) so the most efficient source runs at each temperature.