Final answer:
At the balance point temperature, a heat pump will provide the same level of heating as the building's heat loss without requiring auxiliary heat. Heat pumps are more economical in milder climates and their efficiency depends on the temperature difference between the interior and the exterior.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the balance point temperature, the heat pump will provide the same amount of heat as the heat loss of the building, without the use of auxiliary heat. A heat pump is an economical option for heating buildings as it transfers more energy into the heated space than the energy used to operate it. However, the efficiency of a heat pump decreases as the outside temperature drops, and below -10°C, the heat furnished can be less than the energy consumed. In regions where the temperature difference (ΔT) between inside and outside is small, heat pumps operate more efficiently. They offer considerable savings over direct heating methods, but initial costs and reduced efficiency in very cold climates can limit their use.