How do modern heat pumps achieve significant energy efficiency?

Modern heat pumps achieve significant energy efficiency primarily through variable speed compressor technology. This advanced technology allows the heat pump to adjust its cooling and heating output according to the specific demand of the home or building. Traditional heat pumps operate at a fixed speed, which can lead to energy waste when the system runs at full capacity even when less power is needed.

In contrast, variable speed compressors can modulate their speed, allowing the system to operate more efficiently by drawing only the necessary amount of energy for the current heating or cooling load. This not only reduces energy consumption but also enhances comfort by maintaining more consistent indoor temperatures and reducing wear and tear on the system, leading to longer operational life.

Other options, although they may contribute in certain contexts, do not provide the same level of efficiency. Conventional refrigerants do not inherently improve efficiency, larger duct systems may not always align with improved air distribution and can lead to inefficiencies, and continuous operation without cycling can create comfort problems due to over-conditioning or under-conditioning spaces.