The visible components of a typical residential heat pump system present as two distinct units. One unit, resembling an air conditioning condenser, is located outside the building. This outdoor component contains a fan, compressor, and heat exchanger coil. The second unit is typically installed indoors, often replacing a traditional furnace. This indoor component, known as an air handler, circulates conditioned air throughout the building using a blower fan and another heat exchanger coil.
These systems provide both heating and cooling capabilities, offering an energy-efficient alternative to separate furnace and air conditioning setups. Their adoption has grown due to increasing awareness of energy conservation and a desire to reduce reliance on fossil fuels for climate control. The underlying technology has been refined over decades, resulting in increasingly reliable and effective performance in diverse climates.