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Heat pumps pull heat from an outdoor source (the air, the ground, or a body of water) through refrigerants to warm your home. They can also keep your home cool in the summer by pushing warm air outside if you have a two-way heat pump system. Unlike other heating systems, a heat pump doesn't generate heat; it just moves it.

There are four maincomponents of a heat pump:

• Evaporator: The heat is absorbed from outside into a low-pressure, liquid-state refrigerant. The refrigerant rapidly heats up and changes to a vapor.

• Compressor: This pressurizes the refrigerant (now in a vapor state), causing it to rise in temperature.

• Condenser: This cools the refrigerant, releasing the heat into the surrounding environment. As the gaseous refrigerant cools, it condenses into a liquid.

• Expansion valve: This reduces the pressure of the cooled refrigerant and carries it back to the evaporator for the heating process to repeat.

Replacing a heat pump costs between $4,200 and $7,600. The actual cost depends on the type of heat pump. Geothermal models are typically the most expensive to replace, with the price of the unit plus labor ranging between $6,000 and $20,000. Air source models cost between $4,500 and $8,000 to replace, while the replacement costs for a mini split unit run between $1,300 and $8,000.

The primary alternatives to a heat pump include an attic fan, an electric baseboard heater, radiant heating, and a traditional furnace.

• Attic fan installation costs are affordable and effective for homes in moderate climates that only need a small amount of cooling in the summer.

• Electric baseboard heaters are a good option for small spaces and homes without a gas line.

• Radiant heating systems are less expensive than heat pumps and designed for homes that don't experience harsh winters.

• Traditional furnaces are less costly to install but far less efficient and cost-effective to run.

The average heat pump is designed to last about 14 years, roughly the same as a central air conditioning system (12 to 15 years). Newer models can last 20 years or more. How long your heat pump lasts depends on how frequently you use it and whether you perform routine maintenance. An annual heat pump tune-up costs between $75 and $200.

Some of the qualities to look for in a heat pump repair provider are professionalism, accessibility, and plenty of customer references. Your provider should have several years of industry experience, familiarity with all three types of pumps, and replacement parts ready. Shop around and compare multiple heat pump repair companies to find the best option for your needs and budget.