A heat pump is a highly efficient device used for both heating and cooling spaces. Instead of generating heat (like a furnace does), it transfers heat from one place to another using a refrigeration cycle.
🌀 How a Heat Pump Works (in simple terms):
1. In Heating Mode:
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The heat pump extracts heat from the outside air, ground, or water—even when it's cold outside.
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It then compresses the refrigerant to increase its temperature.
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The warm refrigerant is sent indoors, where it releases heat to warm the room.
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The refrigerant cools down and goes back outside to pick up more heat.
2. In Cooling Mode:
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The cycle reverses.
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The heat pump removes heat from inside the house and dumps it outside—just like an air conditioner.
🔄 Main Components:
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Evaporator Coil | Absorbs heat from air, ground, or water |
| Compressor | Increases refrigerant temperature/pressure |
| Condenser Coil | Releases heat (indoors in winter, outdoors in summer) |
| Expansion Valve | Reduces refrigerant pressure to restart cycle |
💡 Types of Heat Pumps:
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Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP): Most common, extracts heat from air.
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Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) / Geothermal: More efficient, extracts heat from the earth.
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Water Source Heat Pump: Uses water bodies as the heat source/sink.
✅ Advantages:
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Highly energy-efficient
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Dual-purpose: heating and cooling
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Lower carbon emissions than traditional HVAC
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Can reduce electricity bills in mild climates
⚠️ Limitations:
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Efficiency can drop in very cold climates
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Higher upfront cost than some traditional systems
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Installation may require space (especially for ground-source systems)