Heat Pumps Central heat pumps provide both cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.
However, heat pumps generally do not perform well over extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures. This is the cooling output divided by the power input for an average U.S. climate. If you live in the South and will use your heat pump primarily for cooling, choose among those with the best SEER rating. On the other hand, if you live in the North and will use your heat pump primarily for heating, choose among those with the best HSPF rating.