All You Need To Know About Heat Pumps

A heat pump is a machine or device that moves heat from one place to another. It moves heat at a higher temperature using mechanical work or a high temperature heat source. It is used for heating and cooling system. It uses basic refrigeration cycle to heat and it can change which coil is the condenser and which the evaporator. This is achieved by a reversing valve.

For cooler climates, heat pumps used is designed only for heating processes. Some examples are food refrigerators and freezers, air conditioners, and reversible cycle heat pumps for heating on building spaces. For heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications, a vapor-compression refrigeration device that includes a reversing valve and optimized heat exchangers so that the direction of heat flow may be reversed is used. This is actually a kind of heat pump used for such function although what is usually used is a heat pump that draws heat from the air or from the ground.

Heat energy is moved from one environment to another and in either direction. Such is the function of a heat pump. Such allows the heat pump to bring heat to an occupied space and take it out. For cooling purposes, a heat pump works in the same way as the ordinary air conditioner (A/C) works.

A refrigerant is an intermediate fluid used in a heat pump. It absorbs heat as it vaporizes and releases the heat when it condenses. An evaporator is used to absorb heat from inside an occupied space and rejects this heat to the outside through the condenser. To be conditioned, the refrigerant flows outside of the space where the condenser and compressor are located, while the evaporator is inside. One major key that makes a heat pump different from an A/C is the reversing valve. The role of the reversing valve is very important. It allows for the flow direction of the refrigerant to be changed. Heat to be pumped in either direction is then allowed.

The outdoor coil serves as the evaporator and the indoor coil the condenser. This is in heating. The condenser absorbs the heat from the refrigerant and dissipates to the air flowing through it. Even at zero degrees centigrade, the air outside has heat energy in it. The evaporator is absorbing the heat from the air and moving it inside with the refrigerant flowing in the opposite direction.

Once heat is picked up, it is compressed and then sent to a condenser. Heat is then rejected by the indoor coil into the air handler which moves the heated air throughout the house. The outdoor coil becomes the condenser and the indoor coil the evaporator. This is in cooling. It serves as the evaporator because it is going to be used to absorb heat from inside the enclosed space. Heat is then absorbed from the inside and takes it to the condenser where it is rejected into the outside air. This is the work of the evaporator. To move the refrigerant, the heat pump or refrigerator uses a certain amount of work. The amount of energy deposited on the hot side is greater than taken from the cool side.