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good2know: Heat Pumps

28 Oct 2022

Heat pumps are heating and cooling systems that extract heat from the environment and transfer it into buildings. Unlike traditional heating systems that burn fossil fuels, heat pumps offer a more efficient and environmentally friendly way to regulate indoor temperature.

How Heat Pumps Work

Heat pumps

At its core, a heat pump operates on a refrigeration cycle. The process involves four main components:

  1. Evaporator: The refrigerant in the evaporator absorbs heat from the environment (air, ground, or water).
  2. Compressor: The compressor compresses the refrigerant, increasing its temperature and pressure.
  3. Condenser: The hot, high-pressure refrigerant releases heat to the indoor space, providing heating.
  4. Expansion valve: The refrigerant expands and cools, preparing it to absorb heat again.

Benefits of Heat Pumps

Heat pumps
  • Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps can provide up to three or four times more heating energy than the electrical energy they consume.
  • Environmental Friendliness: Heat pumps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by relying on renewable energy sources and avoiding the combustion of fossil fuels.
  • Versatility: Heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling, making them suitable for year-round use.
  • Quiet Operation: Heat pumps are generally quieter than traditional heating systems.
  • Long Lifespan: With proper maintenance, heat pumps can last for many years.

Types of Heat Pumps

  • Air-source heat pumps: The most common type, which extracts heat from the outdoor air.
  • Ground-source heat pumps: Extract heat from the ground, providing a more consistent heat source.
  • Water-source heat pumps: Use water from a well, lake, or river as a heat source.