What In The World Is A Heat Pump And How Does It Operate?
Serving as both furnace and air conditioner, heat pumps provide a unique heating system. There are two main types of heat pumps: the air-source or air-to-air heat pump and the ground-source or geothermal heat pump.
F.H.Furr Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning are the number one Northern Virginia plumbers offering Fairfax plumber and service in Reston and McLean. Call 703-491-6604.
The principle behind the heat pump is fairly simple. Heat naturally flows from warm to cold, high to low. The heat pump exploits this natural process by using a small amount of energy to pull heat from one source and pumping it to another area.
Air-Source Heat Pumps – At its most simple, the air-source heat pump system consists of two fans, refrigerator coils, and a compressor. Most home heat pump systems are “split” systems with outdoor and indoor components joined through the wall.
In order to create heat on the inside the outside air to source unit contains a refrigerant which absorbs heat from the outside air. The heated refrigerant passes in a compressed form into the indoor coil where it condenses and releases heat.
In its simplest configuration, the heat taken from the outdoor air then circulates indoors via air ducts. Such a heat pump is commonly referred to as an air-to-air heat pump; however, with modifications, air-source systems are compatible with other types of indoor heating systems.
An important feature of the heat pump is that this action can be reversed. When the thermostat is lowered to a certain level the refrigerant flow is reversed and the net result on the inside is cooling.
Ground-Source Heat Pumps – The components of a ground-source, or geothermal, heat pump are the same as for the air-source pump. The difference is that in the ground-source system the outdoor “refrigerator” coil is replaced by underground pipes filled with refrigerant.
When it is in heating mode, the ground-source heat pump pulls heat from the ground for circulation indoors. These systems can be reversed just like the air-source units. When reversed the system becomes an air conditioner.
The major differences between the air-source pump and ground-source systems are the cost and source temperature. Ground-source systems cost 2-3 times the cost of an air-to-air system unless included in new construction.
The air-to-air system is limited to moderate climates because running the heat exchange system takes too much energy in a more extreme environment. But temperatures just two or three feet in the ground remain quite constant almost anywhere in the U.S. so ground-source heat pumps can be effectively used almost anywhere.
In either case, heat pumps can reduce utility bills by between 30 and 40 percent. In some cases the higher cost of installation can be offset by government incentive grants. Higher SEER and HSFP ratings indicate a more efficient unit.
For Northern Virginia advice on heat pumps and other heating or air conditioning systems contact F.H.Furr Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning – the number one Northern Virginia plumbers offering McLean plumbing and service in Reston and Fairfax.
Related posts: