Heat pump

Semiconductors bring heat pumps to life

We all regard heat on demand at all times as a matter of course. Here heat pumps can make an important contribution to decarbonization. Carbon-free operation of heat pumps means that the compressor pump runs on electricity, ideally generated from renewables.

Energy
Renewables
Green buildings
Article

Jun 10, 2025

Accelerate the energy transition – with residential heat pumps

The transition to renewable energy sources is underway, and heat pumps are emerging as a crucial technology in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing carbon emissions. Current geopolitical tensions and unpredictable oil and gas prices have moved this technology even farther into the limelight. But what makes them so special? Heat pumps transfer thermal energy stored in the environment, for example in air, water or the ground, into a building using the familiar refrigerant cycle. The energy provided can then be used for heating, domestic hot water and even for cooling. In short: Heat pumps convert heat from the environment into energy that can be used in homes. 

Heat pump i nfront of a building
Heat pump i nfront of a building
Heat pump i nfront of a building

Heat pumps score with a high degree of efficiency

Let’s take a closer look at why heat pumps are so energy efficient and sustainable: Carbon-free operation of heat pumps doesn't consume gas; instead, the compressor pump runs on electricity, ideally generated from renewables. A heat pump can take 1 kW of electricity to run its motor and draw energy from the environment and then transfer 3 to 6 kW of thermal energy into a building. This is why heat pumps are so highly efficient – put simply: Since energy is extracted from the environment, the heat pump consumes less power than it ultimately delivers. Combined with energy storage systems, heat pumps can absorb fluctuations in electricity generation from renewables, so that more and more electricity demand can be met by photovoltaics and wind power. In addition, the refurbishment of existing buildings to net-zero carbon makes even more efficient operation of heat pumps possible.

Our semiconductor solutions support the entire range of heat pump functions in the indoor and outdoor unit. Power supply components drive the compressor's inverter and the fan, sensors measure temperature and semiconductor devices support remote control and internet connectivity.

Learn more about residential heat pumps
Graphic Heat Pump
Graphic Heat Pump
Graphic Heat Pump

How it works – briefly explained

Heat pumps transfer stored thermal energy from the environment, e.g. the air, water or ground, into a building using the refrigerant cycle. Air-source heat pumps, for example, draw in outside air via a fan, which supplies ambient heat to the heat pump. In the heat pump, the temperature of the outside air causes a refrigerant medium to evaporate, i.e. it becomes gaseous. This gas is then compressed by the compressor. As a result, the temperature of the gas (refrigerant medium) increases. In the condenser, the hot refrigerant gas is now condensed, releasing its heat. In the building to be heated, water circulates as the heating medium. This water absorbs the heat given off by the refrigerant in the condenser and conducts it to a distribution system for heating or for hot water storage.

Graphic Gip Heat Pump
Graphic Gip Heat Pump
Graphic Gip Heat Pump

Heat pumps on the rise

According to the IEA, heat pumps are becoming the main way to decarbonize space and water heating worldwide, in a scenario in which all governments achieve their energy and climate pledges in full. The IEA estimates heat pumps have the potential to reduce global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by at least 500 million tons in 2030 – equal to the annual CO2 emissions of all cars in Europe today. According to the IEA Net Zero Emissions by 2050 scenario, the number of heat pumps installed globally will increase to around 600 million in 2030.

Graphic Gip Heat Pump
Graphic Gip Heat Pump
Graphic Gip Heat Pump

Heat pumps are poised to play a vital role in our journey towards a net-zero carbon world. With their high efficiency, carbon-free operation, and ability to integrate with renewable energy sources, they offer a powerful solution to the challenges we face. And at the heart of it all are semiconductors, enabling the smart, connected, and efficient heat pump systems to power our homes and buildings. 

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