What is a Heat Pump and How does it Work?

 

Key Points

What is a heat pump?

How does a heat pump work?

The components of a heat pump

Why it’s energy-efficient

 

Heat pumps provide an even temperature throughout the home and are more energy-efficient than a traditional HVAC system. They are a single unit that both heat and cool a home, whereas an air conditioner cannot, which is the primary difference between the two HVAC systems. 

Let’s take a look at what a heat pump is and how it works.

 

What is a Heat Pump? 

Heat pumps transfer heat from one place to another. Air source heat pumps move heat between the air inside a home and the air outside a home, while ground source heat pumps (known as geothermal heat pumps) transfer heat between the air inside a home and the ground outside a home. 

How a Heat Pump Works

Heat is always present in the air and the ground, even during cold weather. Heat pumps pull heat out of the air, ground, or water and transfer it into a building. 

Thanks to a reversing valve, a heat pump can change the flow of refrigerant and either heat or cool a home. Air is blown over an evaporator coil, transferring heat energy from the air to the refrigerant. That heat energy is circulated in the refrigerant to a condenser coil, where it is released as a fan blows air across the coil. Through this process, heat is pumped from one place to another.

The Components of a Heat Pump

A heat pump consists of an outdoor unit connected to an indoor air handler. Air-source heat pumps are a common choice for residential homes. They consist of the following parts:

Outdoor unit

• A fan that pulls in air.
• A compressor that pressurizes and moves the refrigerant fluid.
• A condenser that heats or cools the air, depending on which way the refrigerant flows.
• A reversing valve that changes the direction of refrigerant flow.
• Refrigerant lines that connect the outdoor unit to the indoor unit.
• A defrost control board with a sensor that detects ice and frost and automatically runs a defrost cycle. 
• An electric heat strip for auxiliary heat.

Indoor unit

• An air handler with evaporator coils, blower motor, and fan that moves the warm air into the ductwork.
• Ducts and vents that distribute air through the home.
• Thermostat control.
• A backup furnace for supplemental heat
• A heat pump’s efficiency drops when temperatures start to dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. So they are ideally suited for climates with moderate winters.

A heat pump has either a heat strip or a backup system if temperatures plummet. A heat strip will allow your heat pump to produce heat for your home. A heat strip isn’t the most efficient choice for long-term heating, but it works well for short periods. Many heat pumps are connected to a gas, oil, or electric furnace that automatically takes over to continue providing adequate heat, keeping your family warm. This is called a dual-fuel HVAC system. 

 

Energy- Efficient

A heat pump is an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient choice because most of the time, a heat pump uses renewable energy that’s constantly available in the air, earth, or water. Investing in a heat pump will lower your carbon footprint.

An Honest Abe expert can help evaluate your heating and cooling requirements and recommend the proper heat pump system. 

 

By Leslie Radford