Heat pump myth 1: Heat pumps are only for heating, they’re no good for cooling

The truth: Heat pumps can provide an element of cooling.

Heat pumps are designed for efficient heating and air conditioners are tuned for effective cooling. It is always best to choose the technology designed for the job you need doing most often. But, in climates like the UK, where a cooling option is a boon for a few days a year, heat pumps can be used to provide a little welcome relief from excessive heat.

All types of heat pump can provide active cooling by being run in reverse. One of the advantages of ground source heat pumps is that you can simply run the pump on the ground loop without the heat pump itself, to transfer heat to the ground. This passive cooling is very low cost.