Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Copper Pipe entering blower is hot. Is this normal?

I have an outside heat pump and its air handler/blower is in my basement.
I have noticed that there is a copper pipe and a small copper tube from the outside unit that enters the air handler where the finned coils are located below the blower. This copper pipe and tube is insulated with a foam cover but the pipes are exposed for about 2".
During a cold spell, when the units are operating I have noticed that this copper pipe is hot, like a hot water pipe.
Is this normal???
Is the outside unit producing so much heat?

Thanks for your help

moulin,

this is perfectly normal. what the heat pump is designed to do in winter is to remove the cold from the home, while in the summer it is designed to remove the heat from the home. this summer go out to the heat pump and feel the smaller line and it will be hot as well, because the action has been reversed.
sounds like you have a properly operating system, just keep it maintained, filter changes and regular preventive maintenance.
barry

The small copper line should be warm in the summer, not HOT. if it is hot there could be issues.

To answer your question though. this sounds normal for a heatpump in the heatting mode.