One of the most interesting and innovative types of temperature control is the modern heat pump. This two-in-one style of system is environmentally friendly and frees up space. Despite the name, a heat pump provides both heating and cooling capacity. The operation is truly unique in that it simply transfers existing heat between the indoors and outdoors. In cooling mode, the heat pump operates much like a conventional air conditioner. It uses refrigerant to carry heat out of the house and deliver it outside to a compressor. When winter arrives, the heat pump literally reverses the flow of refrigerant. Even when the outdoor conditions are cold, there is ambient heat available in the air. The system utilizes this free source of heat and compresses it to a higher temperature. The heat pump doesn’t burn fossil fuels to create heat. With no combustion process, there are no fumes, hot surfaces or greenhouse gasses. The operation doesn’t produce carbon monoxide. Heat pumps are especially clean and quiet. They don’t cause issues with overly dry air, eliminating the need to install a humidifier. While heat pumps are more expensive than more traditional options, only one unit is required to handle year round comfort. There was a time when heat pumps couldn’t keep up with the demands of temperatures below freezing. Improvements in engineering have made these systems much more effective. Heat pumps are available in air-source, ground-source, water-source and ductless models. There is also the option of combining an electric heat pump with a natural gas furnace for a dual fuel system.