Final answer:
A heat pump transfers energy by doing work, moving heat from a colder to a warmer environment to heat a building, and it is more energy-efficient than resistive heating systems but has limitations in very cold conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
- A heat pump operates by transferring energy through work from a colder environment to a warmer one, typically for the purpose of heating a building. This system is economical in terms of energy costs when compared to direct electrical resistive heating, where one unit of electrical energy translates to at most a single unit of heat energy.
- Heat pumps, however, can be more expensive upfront and their efficiency drops as outside temperatures decrease, becoming less effective especially below about -10 °C. The system works by drawing in energy by heat from the cold outside air and using work to move that thermal energy inside.
- Heat pumps can be used for both heating and cooling applications, making them a versatile option for regulating the temperature within a residential space.