About Heat Pumps

The UK’s weather is unpredictable because Polar air, and warmer air from the Tropics, is impacting the region. It can rain anytime or any day of the year and you might experience hot sunny weather the very next day. This sudden change of weather may bring difficulties. Thus, to deal with this unpredictable weather, one must be equipped with the proper heating and cooling system. 

Here’s where heat pumps serve as a beacon of hope. They don’t require separate installation whether it is for heating or cooling purposes; it can manage both effortlessly.  

Heat Pump Air source

What Is A Heat Pump, And How Does It Work?

Heat pumps transfer heat from one place to another using a compressor. In either direction, heat can be pumped through a circulating liquid. The heat can either be extracted from the outside or from the inside and pumped in the opposite direction. 

But how does the heat pump work? It’s simple! The indoor fan coil unit and the outdoor compressor circulate a refrigerant, mainly a liquid, that carries and redistributes heat. A heat pump has two modes, as mentioned earlier. 

Heating mode: In heating mode, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside and moves it indoors. 

Cooling mode: In the cooling mode, the heat is absorbed from the inside environment and released outside. However, remember that the “heat pumps do not generate heat on their own.”

What Components Make Up A Heat Pump System?

A heating system has many components. All of them work together in synchronisation to provide you with a warm and cosy atmosphere in your home. Here’re the components as well as their functions.

Component

Functionality

Outdoor Unit

An outdoor unit has a coil that is intended to function as a condenser. In the heating mode, the condenser serves as an evaporator as well.

Indoor Unit

This is followed by the indoor unit, which has a coil along with a fan to move the air around.

Refrigerant (Mainly liquid)

A liquid that absorbs and releases heat when it circulates through a heat pump.

Reversing Valves

As the name implies, RVs can reverse the refrigerant direction to switch between heating and cooling.

Expansion Valves

Heat pump systems use expansion valves to regulate the refrigerant throughout the system.

Why Choose A Heat Pump System?

According to the International Energy Association, no new gas boilers will be sold on the market after 2025. By 2050, the number will have been reduced to ZERO, and heat pumps will be used to regulate the heat in the environment. These heat pumps emit no carbon dioxide, making them an ideal choice for the British climate.

Here are some of the benefits of having a heat pump.

5 Major Advantages of Heat Pumps:

Low Cost:

Low running costs are one of the major benefits of switching to heat pumps. Fuel, natural gas, or any other fossil fuel type aren’t burned, making it extremely cheap to use. The upfront costs might be higher than expected, but the running costs will make your investment worthwhile.

Safe and Protected:

As there is no fuel burning, there is no risk of leakage or accidents. Furthermore, heat pump systems are safer than combustion-based heating systems.

No Carbon Emissions:

As was mentioned earlier, this heat pump produces no carbon emissions, so it has a high-efficiency rate of converting energy to heat. Additionally, water-based heat pumps can achieve a conversion rate of 600%.

No Maintenance Needed:

The efficiency of heat pump systems makes them more attractive than combustion-based ones, and their conversion rates encourage everyone to switch to them. You only need to check the system once a year, and the work can be done by yourself without the need for an expert.

Longer Lifespan:

In one or two years, no one would want to make an investment that doesn’t last. However, heat pumps have a longer lifespan, usually up to 50 years or more. Hence, they’re preferred.

What Types Of Heat Pumps Are There In The Market?

There are primarily two types of heat pumps that can be used in both residential and commercial areas. Here are two types of heat pumps and how they work.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Heat-Pump-Ground-Source

What Are Ground Source Heat Pumps?

As the name suggests, ground source heating systems capture heat from the ground and transfer it indoors. Heat pumps are powered by electricity and can be used to heat or cool your home. You can even heat your pool water with ground source heating in winter.

How do they work?

Ground source heat pumps work on the same principle as mentioned above. The refrigerant will move through the pipes and transfer the heat to either direction depending on the mode working.

Air Source Heat Pumps

heat-pump-air-source

What Are Air Source Heat Pumps?

Air source heat pumps extract the heat out of the air and transfer it to the indoors. Air pump heating systems work similarly to the ground source ones, but the air serves as the heat source.

How do they work?

The air pump system contains the evaporator as one of its primary parts, and it can absorb heat from the surroundings. While the compressor, in the second place, can pump the heat indoors via the gaseous refrigerant.

Are Heat Pumps Efficient?

Installing Heat Pump

As per survey reports, the heat pumps can save up to £870 yearly on the electricity bills and heating costs (for the combustion-based heaters). Moreover, the heating pumps let you save your environment as well by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

When compared with the ground source ones, the air source heat pumps are relatively easier to install and maintain. What’s noteworthy in these heat pumps is their extraordinary efficiency, even below 0-degree Centigrade temperature. One can achieve a Coefficient of Performance (COP) value of 2.5 in these scenarios. In comparison, the value remains near 4.0 in the average temperature conditions. Therefore, air source heat pumps are perfect for mild environments, while ground-source heat pumps can be employed in extra hot weather.

Lets make a change on how we use energy. 

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