A heat pump is a device that transfers heat from one location to another using a refrigeration cycle or thermodynamic process. It can extract heat from a cold space and transfer it to a warmer space (heating mode), or it can extract heat from a warm space and transfer it to a cooler space (cooling mode). Heat pumps are commonly used for heating and cooling buildings, as well as for heating water. They are energy-efficient alternatives to traditional heating and cooling systems because they move heat rather than generate it directly, making them particularly effective in moderate climates.