Comfort is Always on Call!
Do you have a heat pump or are you thinking about getting one? Understanding the fundamentals of how your heater works can assist you in determining whether heat pumps are appropriate for you and your home. It can also assist you in determining when your unit requires professional repair or replacement.
Heat pumps are electrical devices that take heat from one location and transfer it to another. They are not new technology, and similar devices are found in most air conditioners and refrigeration units.
Heat pumps operate by circulating a refrigerant through an evaporation and condensation cycle. A refrigerant is anything that makes things colder. A compressor circulates this refrigerant between heat exchanger coils.
In the first coil, the refrigerant evaporates at low pressure, absorbing heat from its surroundings. In the second coil, the refrigerant is compressed. It condenses, releasing the heat it had just absorbed.
Heat pump systems can operate in both cooling and heating modes. This is how refrigerators and air conditioners work. At its most basic, a refrigerator is an insulated box connected to a heat pump system. The evaporator is located inside the box, usually in the freezer. Heat is absorbed here and transferred completely out of the box, usually behind or beneath the unit. This is where the refrigerant condenses and the heat is released. An air conditioner works by absorbing heat from within the home and transferring it outside.
One exciting feature of heat pumps is the ability to reverse this cycle. As a result, a heat pump system can provide you with year-round climate control. Because the ground and air outside your home always have some heat, the heat pump can function even on the coldest winter days!
Heat pumps can draw energy from a variety of sources. The majority of them take heat from the air, but a few take heat from the ground or ground water. Geothermal, geoexchange, and earth-energy heat pumps are examples of these. Consult an expert to find the best one for your home.
Are you ready to install a heat pump or do you have questions about what would be best for you? Contact Emerald Heating & Cooling right away. Our experts will tell you which heat pumps would be best for you and how much it would cost to install one soon.
