What is a heat pump and how does it work?
You’ll often come across heat pump products when looking to install a new hydronic heating system. A heat pump is a device used within the hydronic heating process that transfers heat from the air outside to the water used for a heating system.
A hydronic heat pump works by circulating a water-like substance, called a refrigerant, through different cycles known as condensation and evaporation. A compressor pump then comes into play, and is used between two heat exchanger coils or pipes.
It is useful to think of heat pumps as a reverse of a refrigeration system, where the process essentially involves drawing air from the outside into a refrigerant stored within piping or a coil. The refrigerant substance is drawn into a system through piping and is then heated and transforms the liquid into gas. Another element called a compressor is then used to compress the gaseous refrigerant, which results in heat generation. This gas then circulates back to a boiler or tank where water is stored. Once the refrigerant’s temperature drops, it returns back into a liquid state and the heating cycle repeats itself.
How does a heat pump work in winter?
During the cooler months, heat pumps work in the way that was described above. The refrigerant pulls in air from the outside and effectively heats your space. A heat pump uses a refrigerant to draw in and release heat through a circulating method that condenses gas to heat it up, then evaporates it to cool it down.
What temperature is a heat pump no longer effective?
In basic terms, people often speculate that heat pumps tend to perform their best with warmer temperatures as there is more heat that can be extracted to heat up your water. However, as the air contains a high level of energy (which is the key element being used from this process), heat pumps are still able to effectively perform its operation, particularly as temperatures in Australia rarely fall below zero degrees celsius.
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