# Heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration: Overview

Machines that move heat rather than make it

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/overview/

What this tile covers Machines that move heat from cold to hot places, using a compressor. Share of use 4.2% share of final energy use (2024)

Share of world total final energy consumption (about 435 EJ, calculated: motor systems 13,462 TWh are 53% of electricity, so about 25,400 TWh or 91 EJ, and electricity is about 21% of final energy) that passes through this device or is used by this sector, latest year available. Electricity-based devices use electricity's 21% share of final energy (IEA WEO 2025). Overlaps between devices and sectors are allowed and noted. The International Institute of Refrigeration puts refrigeration and air conditioning at around 20% of world electricity, excluding heat pumps for heating; at 21% electricity share that is about 4.2% of final energy (calculated). Lower bound for the tile; overlaps motors and buildings. Source: [New IIR figures highlight the role of the refrigeration sector](https://iifiir.org/en/news/de-nouveaux-chiffres-de-l-iif-mettent-en-lumiere-la-place-du-secteur-du-froid), International Institute of Refrigeration.

#### Key facts

| **Chain** | Electrical → compressor → refrigerant cycle → heat moved |
|---|---|

#### Included from the reference tables

- Air- and water-source heat pumps
- Air conditioners
- Refrigerators
- Absorption chillers

#### Linked to the material world
[Cu Copper](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/copper/)[HFC Fluorochemicals and refrigerants](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/fluoro_intermediates/)

#### Also in Conversion devices
[ST Steam turbines and thermal power plants](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_steam_turbines/)[CCGT Gas turbines and combined cycle](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_turbines/)[ICE Internal combustion engines and gensets](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/)[Gen Generators and alternators](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/)[Mot Electric motors and drives](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/)[PE Transformers and power electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/)[FC Fuel cells](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_fuel_cells/)[Elz Electrolysers](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrolysers/)[EH Electric heating](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electric_heat/)[LED Lighting and displays](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_lighting/)[Blr Boilers, furnaces and stoves](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_combustion_heat/)

Explore paths from here
 More on this tile in the tabs above: science and limits, value chain, unit economics, engineering methods, equipment and suppliers.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/correlation/index.md)
- [Science and limits](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/science/index.md)
- [Value chain](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/valuechain/index.md)
- [Unit economics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/economics/index.md)
- [Engineering methods](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/methods/index.md)
- [Equipment and suppliers](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/equipment/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/links/index.md)