How a Heat Pump Works
Learn About Your System From the Inside Out
Understanding How a Heat Pump Works
An air-source heat pump utilizes cutting-edge technology along with the refrigeration cycle to both warm and cool your living space, ensuring your home remains comfortable throughout the year, regardless of the season!
Heat Pump in Cooling Mode
In cooling mode, heat pumps are designed to keep indoor temperatures pleasant while effectively reducing humidity. Here’s the process:
1. A motorized fan draws warm air from within your home into the duct system.
2. A compressor circulates refrigerant between both indoor and outdoor units.
3. The heated indoor air is directed to the air handler while the refrigerant moves from the outdoor condenser coil to the indoor evaporator coil, absorbing the heat as it flows over the air.
4. The now-cooled and dehumidified air is then distributed through ducts to the air vents throughout your home, thereby lowering the internal temperature.
5. This refrigeration cycle repeats, ensuring a steady flow of cool air.
Heat Pump in Heating Mode
Traditionally, heat pumps were utilized primarily in regions that experienced milder winters. However, recent advancements in technology have enhanced their effectiveness in colder climates. Here’s how the heating mode operates:
1. The heat pump transitions to heating mode by reversing the refrigeration cycle, allowing the outdoor coil to act as the evaporator and the indoor coil to serve as the condenser.
2. Refrigerant circulates through a sealed system of refrigerant lines connecting the outdoor and indoor units.
3. Despite the chilly outdoor temperatures, the condenser coil effectively absorbs heat energy from the exterior air, which is then released indoors by the evaporator coil.
4. Like in cooling mode, air from the interior is drawn into the duct system by a fan.
5. The refrigerant is then cycled from the interior coil to the exterior one, absorbing heat from the air outside.
6. This heated air is pushed through ducts to the vents across the home, raising the indoor temperature.
7. The refrigeration cycle continues, providing a reliable method for maintaining warmth.
Components of a Heat Pump
A standard air-source heat pump comprises a split or two-part system powered by electricity. This setup includes an outdoor unit resembling an air conditioner and an indoor air handler that collaborates to supply either warm or cool air to interior spaces. Essential components of a heat pump system include:
Compressor: Facilitates the movement of refrigerant throughout the system. Many heat pumps utilize a scroll compressor, known for being quieter, longer-lasting, and capable of delivering air that is 10° to 15°F warmer during heating.
Control board: Determines whether the system operates in cooling, heating, or defrost mode.
Coils: The condenser and evaporating coils either heat or cool the air based on the refrigerant’s flow direction.
Refrigerant: The fluid circulating through the refrigeration lines, connecting both indoor and outdoor units.
Reversing valves: Alter the refrigerant flow, deciding whether to heat or cool the interior.
Thermostatic expansion valves: Manage the refrigerant flow, similar to how a faucet valve controls water flow.
Accumulator: This reservoir adjusts the refrigerant charge according to seasonal demands.
Refrigeration lines: These connect the internal components to those outside.
Heat strips: This electric heating element provides supplementary heat during extremely cold days or quickly restores temperatures after a setback.
Duct-work: These channels serve as air conduits to various areas within your home.
Thermostat or control system: This device allows you to set your preferred temperature.