In the winter, it reverses and instead warms the house by taking heat from the outside air and transferring it inside. It works just like a standard A/C by removing unwanted heat energy from the indoors to the outdoors during the hot season. That's, a heat pump is a sophisticated HVAC system designed to heat your residence by transferring energy, as opposed to combusting fuels like natural gas or propane.
The heating element of a heat pump system functions similar to that of a central air conditioner, but with added versatility—like a ‘reverse’ gear. The ‘pump’ of a heat pump system means the heat ‘pumped’ is the heat energy transferred while the refrigerant is circulated through the system. Due to the fact that the refrigerant is capable of rotating in both directions, the technology is quite efficient; thus, the system is capable of heating and cooling a space.
Understanding each step in the refrigeration cycle is crucial in defining how a heat pump system works, especially in terms of how it extracts heat from very cold air in winter while still remaining energy efficient. It also aids you in differentiating between an air conditioning and heating system so that you can select the appropriate system for your residence. This is how the system functions to ensure your home is comfortable irrespective of the season:
As per GMI Research, the Heat Pump Market is expected to reach USD 180.7 billion in 2030
Do all heat pumps look the same? Air source heat pumps give the same appearance as air conditioners. The internal construction of the unit is a metal box with an internal fan, which is situated in the yard of the residence. The only thing that changes is that an air source heat pump has a reversing valve which means the box is not opened for inspection.
Many owners tend to believe they have an air conditioner unit due to a misconception. The simplest method to confirm this or ascertain what is contained is to consult the thermostat! Seeing the Emergency Heat or Aux Heat settings is one distinguishing factor. Alternatively, trying to locate the outdoor unit during the winter season may provide some additional information, specifically if the unit is operational while the house is set to heating.
What Is Enclosed In The Heat Pump?
Now that we have a grasp of the fundamental principles of the heat pump, let’s analyze what components comprise it.
- System “Heartbeat”: The Compressor
The compressor’s main function is to circulate refrigerant throughout the system, all the while increasing the pressure and thus, the temperature of the refrigerant to a level where it effectively dissipates heat. This is referred to, relatively abstractly, as the pump set heat. You should note that the temperature of the system is able to “heat” by compression, it is able to be raised, but never actually created.
This heat pump system is predominately comprised of a fluid which is capable of transferring heat. The fluid is referred to as refrigerant and during the process of evaporation it is able to absorb energy. Contrarily, the refrigerant releases energy when it is condensed back to the liquid state. This cycle operates continuously throughout summer and winter and thus, the heat pump is capable of effectively cooling and heating a house.
- Heat Exchangers with Evaporator and Condenser Coils
With a Heat Pump System, two coils are utilized to transfer heat to and from the refrigerant and the air, one of which is located outside the house and the other is located indoors. These coils, made of copper and aluminum, contain refrigerant which, within one coil, absorbs heat and releases it within the other coil.
- Mode Switcher with Reversing Valve
Unlike the other components of a heat pump, this one is rather small and resembles a trumpet due to its shape. It is the true distinguishing factor between a heat pump and a regular air conditioner. The reversing valve changes the direction of refrigerant flowing and, thus, changes the system from heating to cooling and vice versa. Without this feature, a heat pump would be merely an air conditioner.
