How Do Heat Pumps Work? – The Hidden Science of Heat Pump Mechanics

SUMMARY

What are heat pumps, and how do they work? Why should you consider a heat pump a promising option for heating and cooling your home? This article will explain how heat pumps work, what they do, and what to expect if you are seriously considering them. So, read on and learn all you need to know about heat pumps and how they work.

What are Heat Pumps?

Air-Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are energy-efficient heat pumps that use the outside air to heat and cool buildings. They operate through a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. Similar to air conditioners, they can reverse their function to absorb heat from outside and release it indoors. They extract, transfer, and distribute heat to help bring cold hair indoors and expel heat outside.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal heat pumps work by using advanced heating and cooling systems. IT will utilize the stable temperatures found underground to help regulate the temperature inside your home. They operate similarly to nonconventional pumps but utilize the thermal properties of the ground to generate heat. After the heat pump installation, geothermal heat pumps can last well over 50 years, making it a costly yet worthwhile investment in HVACs.

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

You know the two types of heat pumps and what they do, but you may be curious about how a heat pump works. What makes it operate and generate both warm and cool air? Heat pumps are versatile and effective systems. They leverage thermodynamic principles and consist of components like the compressor, reversing valve, evaporator coils, condenser coils, and expansion valve. Each plays a small part in the process. The heating process involves absorbing outdoor heat from the air or ground using the evaporator coils. A heat pump has a refrigerant which turns into gas after absorbing the heat and gets compressed by the compressor. The compressor raises its temperature and pressure, allowing hot gas to flow into the indoor HVAC unit. Once the hot gas flows into the condenser coils, it releases heat into the indoor space, condensing it into liquid. Lastly, the liquid will return to the outdoor unit through the expansion valve. Then, it will depressurize, cool down, and be ready to absorb more heat to transfer indoors. The cooling process is reversed to get the desired cool temperature.

The Perks of Getting Heat Pumps

Pros

There are several benefits of getting heat pumps, especially if you live in a residential area as a homeowner and want to be more energy efficient. Heat pumps can provide three to four times as much energy for heating and cooling the electricity they consume. This is higher than traditional heating systems with a lower efficiency rating. This can lead to reduced energy bills and help you save money. The increased efficiency means that it has less of an environmental impact. It lowers carbon emissions and greenhouse gases since it uses electricity rather than fossil fuels. Lastly, their more simplistic design (compared to traditional heating systems) decreases the chance of individual parts breaking down, making them less susceptible to wear and tear.

Cons

Like for everything, there are always a few drawbacks. Due to how heat pumps work, they can experience reduced efficiency during cooler temperatures (below 40℉). They may result in higher energy costs during that period since the heat pump needs to work harder to extract heat from the air. Heat pump installation is also more expensive in regards to upfront costs. This can dissuade homeowners who might not find it worth the long term benefits they can expect to come with it as well. Lastly, heat pumps are more susceptible to power outages since they rely on electricity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, heat pumps are a promising alternative to traditional heating systems. They reap many long-term benefits, are more environmentally friendly, release less carbon emissions, last a long time, and rely on a fairly simple system to heat and cool your home. If you are interested in investing in a heat pump for your home or want to learn more, Seattle Heating and Cooling can help you! Without extensive knowledge of HVAC installation and how it can benefit your home, you’ll gain the confidence to decide if you want to upgrade your home’s heating system. You can receive a free quote if you contact us or call us at 206-600-5800. We keep your best interests in mind and offer comprehensive heat pump services to keep your home or business comfortable all year round.