Heat Pumps Explained

Whether you’re looking to lower your energy bill or keep your house at a comfortable temperature all year round, a heat pump system is worth exploring. Heat pumps are machines that move heat from one place to another.

Heat pumps can be used in both residential and commercial settings. How does a heat pump work? Let’s take a closer look.

Fundamentals of Heat Pumps

When attempting to provide a response to the query, “How do heat pumps work?” one of the most essential points to comprehend is that heating systems do not produce heat; rather, they transfer heat from one location to another.

In contrast to a furnace, which generates heat that is then dispersed throughout a residence, a heat pump pulls heat energy from the air outside the building (even when it is freezing outside) and converts it to the air within the building.

Both a heat pump and an air conditioning system are essentially equivalent while operating in the cooling mode since both draw heat from the air within the home and then discharge it through the exterior unit.

When deciding which sort of system would be most beneficial for your home, it is vital to take into account a number of important aspects, such as the size of your house and the climate in your area.

A local service provider has the knowledge and experience to correctly assess your unique requirements and guide you in making the best choice possible.

Heat Pumps and Their Crucial Parts

An outdoor unit, similar in appearance to the exhaust system of a split-system air conditioner, and an inside air handler unit are the two main components of an air source heat pump system. Components of equal importance can be found in both exterior and interior units.

Housing Unit

The inside unit, also known as the air handler unit, has a coil and a fan just like the outdoor unit.

While in cooling mode, the coil performs the role of an evaporator (in heating mode). The home’s ductwork and the coil depend on the fan to circulate air.

Exterior System

A fan and a coil are housed in the external device. Condenser (when cooling) or evaporator (when heating) depending on the mode the coil is in (in heating mode). The coil is exposed to the outside air, which is then heated by the fan.

Compressor

The refrigerant is pressurised by the compressor and distributed by it.

Refrigerant

The heat pump’s refrigerant is the fluid responsible for taking in and giving off heat.

Limiting Valve

When the expansion valve is open, the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant are lowered because the flow of the refrigerant is controlled.

Balance Changer

The component of a heat pump is responsible for switching its operation from cooling to heating by reversing the flow of refrigerant.

The Function and Nature of Heat Pumps

Heat pumps have been widely utilised for decades to offer cost-effective heating, cooling, and even domestic hot water in a variety of locations around the world, including Australia.

Nature of Heat Pumps

Among the most fundamental principles of heat pump functioning and heat transfer is that hotter, denser locations will always want to shift heat energy to cooler, less pressurised ones. Heat pumps depend on this aspect of physics to transfer heat from one place to another by bringing warm air into contact with colder, reduced air. A heat pump operates in this way.

There are three distinct phases in an air-source heat pump’s operation:

Heating: Heat is supplied to the structure through a cycle called the heating cycle.
Cooling: Process of removing heat from a structure (the cooling cycle).
Defrosting: During the defrost cycle, outdoor coils are defrosted to prevent ice buildup.

How Heat Pumps Work: A Step-by-Step Process

An interior coil acts as the evaporator and receives liquid refrigerant via a pump before being expanded.

The refrigerant absorbs the heat energy from the air that is blown across the radiators from within the house.

The generated chilly air is distributed via the ventilation system of the house. Since the liquid refrigerant absorbed the heat energy, it has become hot enough to evaporate into a gas.

Next, the gaseous refrigerant is compressed in a compressor. When gas is compressed, it generates heat. The system’s heated, pressurised refrigerant makes its way to the outdoor unit’s coil.

When the outdoor unit is in cooling mode, the condenser coils are exposed to air from the outside via a fan.

Due to the temperature difference between the inside of the house and the outside, heat is removed from the hot compressed nitrogen refrigerant in the coils and transferred to the cooler air outside.

As it cools, the refrigerant condenses and returns to a liquid condition. The expansion valves in the interior units receive the heated liquid refrigerant that has been pushed through the system.

As the tension of the hot liquid refrigerant is lowered by the expansion valve, the temperature of the refrigerant drops dramatically. The liquid refrigerant has cooled to the point where it can be reinjected to the indoor unit’s evaporator coil to start the cycle over again.

Installation Factors to Think About

Professional installation is required for air-source heat pumps. A local HVAC technician should be consulted for advice on equipment sizing, installation, and regular maintenance to maximise the effectiveness and dependability of your system.

Heat pumps typically require larger airflows to function effectively, so keep that in mind if you’re thinking about installing one to replace or complement your central heating system.

It’s possible that you’ll need to make adjustments to your ducting in order to accommodate the new heat pump without increasing the amount of noise or energy consumed by the fans. Consult with your contractor for advice tailored to your situation.

The price of installing an air-source heat pump in your home will vary based on factors such as the model you choose, the features you want, and the condition of your home’s current heating system and ductwork.

It’s possible that your new heat pump installation may need to be supported by adjustments to the ducting or electrical services.

Maintaining a Heat Pump

It is recommended that the filter be changed once a month if the heat pump is used often. If you just use the unit occasionally, you may be able to go three months before the filter needs to be replaced.

Keep the heat pump’s coils and blades clean, and have a professional inspect it twice a year, before the heating and cooling seasons.

The source of the issue should be pinpointed if at all possible. Is it only one register where airflow is weak, or do all of them? Is the annoying sound originating from the heat pump inside or the air ducts?

There are several items you may check for and try to fix on your own before calling a repairman, including the heat pump. When troubleshooting a non-functioning machine, the first step is to reset the motor.

Inspect the pump’s ignition system, and ensure sure there are no blown fuses or circuit breakers.

Make sure the thermostat is functioning properly by checking it out. If the filter is dusty, replace it, and ensure sure there are no obstructions to ventilation.

When the air ducts expand and contract, they can make a squeaking noise. To prevent this, you can try putting rubber cushions around them.

Loose components should be secured to prevent squeaks and rattles can be remedied by adjusting or replacing the fan belt that links the motor to the fan.

If the motor is making a grinding noise, it could be because the bearings are worn out and will need to be replaced by an expert.

Remember that if you aren’t mechanically minded, you generally shouldn’t try to conduct this repair job on your own.

Further supporting the idea that you should call in the pros is the fact that heat pumps may be home to potentially dangerous elements.

The release of harmful chemicals is terrible news, and a malfunctioning gadget poses serious risks to the user.

There is a 10- to 25-year lifespan range for a heat pump. The most crucial aspect of pump longevity is consistent inspection and maintenance. Those who reside in warmer climates tend to not only live longer but thrive.

A heat pump may outlive a technician’s ability to service it if technological standards advance before the unit fails.

Keep a look out for new types of heat pumps as the new technology may make existing models safer or more energy efficient.

Conclusion

Consider installing a heat pump system in your home if you want to reduce the amount you spend on your monthly energy bill or maintain a consistent temperature in your home throughout the year. Machines known as heat pumps are able to transfer heat from one location to another.

Both the outside and the inner units contain components that are of equal value to the whole. The fluid known as a refrigerant is contained within the heat pump and is responsible for both absorbing and releasing heat. The temperature of the refrigerant and the pressure of the system both drop when the expansion valve is allowed to open.

The process of moving heat from one location to another using heat pumps involves bringing cooler air into contact with warmer air. The cost of having an air-source heat pump installed in your house will differ according to the type that you select and the features that you require. It is recommended that a local HVAC professional be approached for assistance on the proper sizing, installation, and maintenance of the equipment. To fit the new heat pump, it’s conceivable that you’ll need to make some modifications to the ducting in your home. If the filter has accumulated dust, you should replace it and make sure that there are no obstacles to the ventilation system.

If the motor is creating a grinding sound, it’s possible that the bearings have become worn out and need to be replaced. Always be on the lookout for new varieties of heat pumps because there is a possibility that they will be safer or more energy efficient.

Content Summary

Consider installing a heat pump system in your home if you want to reduce the amount you spend on your monthly energy bill or maintain a consistent temperature in your home throughout the year.
Machines known as heat pumps are able to transfer heat from one location to another.
Both residential and commercial environments are suitable for the installation of heat pumps.
When attempting to provide an answer to the question, “How do heat pumps work?” one of the most important things to understand is that heating systems do not produce heat; rather, they transfer heat from one location to another. This is one of the most important points to understand when attempting to provide an answer.
A heat pump, as opposed to a furnace, which generates heat that is then distributed throughout a residence, pulls heat energy from the air outside the building (even when it is freezing outside) and converts it to the air inside the building. A furnace, on the other hand, generates heat that is then distributed throughout the residence.
During the cooling mode of operation, a heat pump and an air conditioning system are almost interchangeable because both remove heat from the air inside the residence and subsequently release it through the external unit.
When determining the type of system that would be most useful for your home, it is essential to take into account a number of crucial criteria, such as the size of your property and the climate in your region. Taking these factors into account will help you make an informed decision.
Your one-of-a-kind needs can be accurately evaluated by a local service provider who has the expertise and the experience to do so, and they can also direct you towards the option that is in your best interest.
An air source heat pump system is comprised of two primary components: an external unit and an inside air handler unit. The exterior unit resembles the exhaust system of a split-system air conditioner, and the indoor air handler unit functions similarly.
Both the outside and the inner units contain components that are of equal value to the whole.
As is the case with the outside unit, the indoor unit, also referred to as the air handler unit is equipped with both a coil and a fan.
The coil is opened up to the fresh air coming in from the outside, which is then warmed up by the fan.
The fluid known as a refrigerant is contained within the heat pump and is responsible for both absorbing and releasing heat.
Because the flow of the refrigerant is controlled, the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant are both reduced whenever the expansion valve is allowed to become open.
Reversing the flow of refrigerant is accomplished by the component of a heat pump that is responsible for converting the operation of the device from cooling to heating.
Heat pumps have been widely used for several decades to provide cost-effective heating, cooling, and even domestic hot water in a variety of areas across the world, including Australia. This includes a number of locations in the United States.
The idea that hotter, more dense areas would constantly desire to transmit heat energy to cooler, less pressurised areas is one of the most fundamental principles underlying how heat pumps work and how heat moves from one place to another.
Heat pumps rely on this principle of physics in order to move heat from one location to another. This is accomplished by bringing warmer air into contact with air that has had its temperature reduced.
This is how the operation of a heat pump takes place.
An air-source heat pump’s operation can be broken down into three separate phases, which are as follows:
Heating: A process referred to as the “heating cycle” is responsible for delivering heat to the structure.
The act of eliminating heat from a building is referred to as “cooling” (the cooling cycle).
Defrosting: In order to minimise ice formation, the outdoor coils will be defrosted while the defrost cycle is running.
Evaporation takes place on an internal coil, which is supplied with liquid refrigerant by a pump before being subjected to expansion.
The heat energy from the air that is fanned over the radiators from within the home is absorbed by the refrigerant, which cools the house.
The ventilation system in the house is responsible for distributing the cool air that is created there.
Due to the fact that the liquid refrigerant absorbed the heat energy, it has now reached a temperature at which it can evaporate into a gas.
After that, a compressor is used to compress the gaseous refrigerant that was previously prepared.
Heat is produced whenever gas is compressed in any way.
The heated and pressurised refrigerant from the system makes its way to the coil located in the outdoor unit.
When the outdoor unit is operating in the cooling mode, air from the outside is drawn in through a fan and passed over the condenser coils.
Because the air within the home is warmer than the air outside, heat is extracted from the hot compressed nitrogen refrigerant that is contained within the coils and transported to the air that is located outside, where it may be dissipated more effectively.
The expansion valve works to reduce the tension of the hot liquid refrigerant, which in turn results in a significant reduction in the temperature of the liquid.
The temperature of the liquid refrigerant has decreased to the point where it can be reinjected into the evaporator coil of the indoor unit, which will cause the cycle to begin once more.
Installing an air-source heat pump properly requires the assistance of a trained professional.
To get the most out of your HVAC system in terms of its efficiency and dependability, you should seek the guidance of a qualified HVAC professional in your area for advice on equipment sizing, installation, and routine maintenance.
If you are considering installing a heat pump to either replace or supplement your existing central heating system, you should be aware that heat pumps often demand bigger airflows in order to perform successfully.
It is probable that you will need to make alterations to the ductwork in your home in order to create room for the new heat pump while minimising the amount of additional noise and increased energy consumption caused by the fans.
Talk things over with your contractor to get recommendations that are specific to your circumstances.
The cost of installing an air-source heat pump in your home will vary depending on a number of factors, including the brand of heat pump you select, the specific features you want, and the state of the ductwork and heating system in your home at the time of installation.
It is probable that your newly installed heat pump will require some modifications to be made to the ducting or electrical services in order to function properly.
Upkeep and Repair of a Heat Pump
If the heat pump is operated on a regular basis, it is advised that the filter be changed at least once every month.
If you only use the device on an irregular basis, you might be able to go three months without having to replace the filter before it becomes necessary.
Make sure the coils and blades of the heat pump are always clean and have a trained technician check it over twice a year, just before the heating and cooling seasons.
The most typical types of heat pump problems are grinding, squeaking, and rattling noises; loud or leaking ducts; low airflow; temperature concerns; using the incorrect amount of refrigerant charge; and low airflow.
Attempts should be made if at all possible, to identify the origin of the problem.
Is the irritating noise coming from the heat pump on the interior or the air ducts?
In order to avoid having to call a repairman, there are a few things, like the heat pump, that you can check for and attempt to fix on your own first.
The first thing to do when troubleshooting a machine that isn’t functioning properly is to reset the motor.
Check the thermostat to ensure that it is operating correctly in the appropriate manner.
If the filter is dirty, you should change it, and you should make sure that there are no obstructions to the ventilation system.
It’s possible that the air ducts will make a squeaky sound whenever they expand or contract.
You might try surrounding them with rubber cushions to prevent this from happening.
Components that are not properly secured should be tightened so that squeaks and rattles do not occur. If this does not work, the fan belt, which connects the motor to the fan, should be adjusted or replaced.
If the motor is making a grinding noise, it’s possible that the bearings are worn out and need to be replaced by a professional. If this is the case, the motor will make the noise.
It is important to keep in mind that if you are not familiar with working with machines, you should not attempt to complete this repair task on your own.
The fact that heat pumps could contain potentially harmful components is one more argument in favour of the recommendation that you seek assistance from qualified professionals.
A faulty device places the user in grave danger, and the release of dangerous substances into the environment is extremely upsetting news.
The lifespan of a heat pump can range anywhere from ten to twenty-five years.
Regular inspection and upkeep is the single most important factor in determining how long a pump will last.
If technology standards continue to improve before a heat pump breaks down, the technician who services it may find themselves unable to continue doing so.
Always be on the lookout for new models of heat pumps, as advancements in technology could make already available versions either safer or more energy efficient.

FAQs About Heat Pumps

What Is the Downside to a Heat Pump?

High upfront cost. Difficult to install. Questionable Sustainability. Requires significant work

Are Heat Pumps Worth It?

Even at extremely low and below-freezing temperatures, heat pumps function. Due to their ability to create around three times as much energy as they consume, they are also far more efficient than a gas boiler. Most importantly, heat pumps are spotless.

Is a Heat Pump Cheaper Than Electric Heat?

Despite being 100% energy efficient, electric furnaces can actually cost nearly 2.5 times as much as a standard heat pump to provide the same quantity of heat. A heat pump system also offers cooling in addition to heating.

How Long Do Heat Pumps Last?

Although certain heat pumps can stop working after ten years, heat pumps typically last fifteen years on average. Some of the more recent products being made now can last a little bit longer. Maintenance is the factor that has the biggest impact on how long your heat pump will last.

Which Is Better: Air Conditioner or Heat Pump?

In comparison to air conditioners, furnaces, and other forms of heating systems, both types of heat pumps are incredibly efficient. The efficiency of an air source heat pump ranges from 175 to 300 percent, whereas that of a geothermal heat pump goes from 300 to 600 percent.