Conventional building heating systems are typically powered by fossil fuels: oil, natural gas, or propane used in boilers or furnaces. Cooling is typically fueled by electricity and delivered by air ducts. Air source heat pumps can both heat and cool either in ducted systems or with wall-mounted units. Air source heat pumps are more efficient and cost-effective than conventional heating and cooling systems. When powered with electricity, they can be a key part of a net zero building.

Air-source heat pumps extract energy from ambient outside air to provide conditioned air for heating and cooling buildings. When in heating mode, the heat pumps extract heat from cold exterior air, bringing heat into the building and returning even colder air to the outside. In cooling mode, the opposite occurs: heat pumps extract heat from inside the building, releasing even warmer air outside while leaving the inside air cooler. The efficiency of air-source heat pumps helps the Outdoor Center achieve net zero while providing of occupant comfort in both heating and cooling.