Chemical Engineering - Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics - Discussion

A heat pump is a generic name for both a ref and a heater. It allows you to move heat from a cold reservoir to a hotter reservoir by supplying work. This is the opposite of what a heat engine does.

To cool the room the heat pump move heat from the cold room to the hotter air outside. To heat up a room, heat pump move heat from the colder (freezing surroundings) into the room.