Why do most people seem so confused and bewildered about heat pumps? They have been around now for at least several decades, yet the technology behind them seems to mystify so many people. So, I decided to research this subject for myself in order to tell you how – in layman’s terms – these things work
The first thing I should deal with, I guess, is the name itself: heat pumps. Why are they called that? If they are pumps, then what are they ‘pumping?’ Well, the word pump is actually very appropriate (at least to my mind), as pumps move something – water, gas, oil – from one place (like the bottom of a well) to another place (like your sink). And that’s exactly what heat pumps do: they move, or ‘pump’ heat energy. If this is a hard concept for you to grasp, here’s an illustration. Imagine letting a cup of hot tea sit awhile to cool down. Now think about it: What really happened? Well, when a hot liquid cools, the heat energy passes from the hot liquid to the air surrounding it. In other words, heat was ‘pumped’ (moved) from one location to another.
You might not realize it, but even on the coldest day outside, the air contains some heat energy. The same is true for the ground beneath our feet: it has the capacity to store, or hold, heat energy. Heat pumps simply move, or ‘pump’ heat energy from one place to another. When you use a heat pump to heat or cool a room, you are making use of this basic fact of physics.
Let’s see this in action when you decide to cool a room: You install a heat pump, and it’s warm inside. A heat pump will circulate the air in the room, capture the heat energy that is there, and transfer that heat energy outside. Because heat energy has been taken out from the room, you will feel cooler.
What do you do in the winter? Simply reverse the whole process: use your heat pump to move heat energy from the outside to your rooms inside (even when it’s cold outside there’s heat energy there, remember?). You will feel warmer in that room as a result.
One very important not: heat pumps, by themselves, do not burn fuel to add heat to a cold room – they simply move it from someplace else. This means that a heat pump is not a furnace, which burns fuel. A heat pump is an energy-transferor, not an energy-producer.
Some heat pumps are called air-source heat pumps, so called because they use the air (surrounding the unit or from a separate unit outdoors) as their source for heating and cooling.
Other types of heat pumps are called Geothermal heat pumps - they draw heat energy from the ground outside (below the frost line) to heat, or pump excess heat energy into the ground to cool. They do this by transferring heat energy through a series of coils that are buried deep in the ground. You may not realize it but below a certain depth the temperature of the ground remains fairly constant year-round.
Author: Jen Garvin writes about home improvement and Heat Pump Installation Read about the issues relating toground source heat pumps at her site today. Click here to get your own unique version of this article.
HVAC -To Heat Pump or Not to Heat Pump That Is the Question?
If you are thinking of installing a HVAC system in your new construction you would be wise to do a little research. Heat pumps have many great features that can add value and comfort to your new home.
To Heat Pump Or Not To Heat Pump?
Well, that is a great question. Anytime you are going to shell out a big chunk of money it is a good idea to get bids, and increase your knowledge base. That way you will not be kicking your self later when you find out the unit is oversized, undersized, or installed wrong.
What Is a Heat Pump?
Heating and air-conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity, and the total air quality in residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings. You can find more information on how heat pumps work on my HVAC system page.
Create a list of questions to ask your local contractors, or home building store staff…
Is A Heat Pump Right For Your Home?
Comfort is a big consideration in any household. It makes the house a more comfortable place to live in. It makes a house a home. This is also a reason why you must take proper considerations of the necessary changes that can be implemented in the house, changes that will improve the present conditions.
One of the questions that most household dwell on is whether or not to install a heat system in the house. Of course, the comfort and safety of the family must always be the priority. Of course, deciding on the heat system also entails certain consequences that the household must prepare for.
The heating system, as the name implies, ensures the comfort of the family when the weather gets too cold. Of course, most heating systems, when not properly installed or cared for will end up as a liability. That is why one must pick the right heating system to support the needs of the family.
Is a Heat Pump the Right System for Your Home?
The heat pump system depends on the magic of obtaining heat from the cold air and processing it to be supplied to the house. This mechanism makes use of the heat pump appliance that operates on a refrigeration technology. With this at hand, instant warmth and cooling can be easily secured.
Many households have benefited and attested to the goodness entailed by installing heat pumps. There are many ways to make heat pumps an ideal companion during the cold climate.
1. Good Alternative
The heat pump is a good tool for places where electrical heat system is the only option. Not every location can get a good source of natural gas to support the traditional conditioning system. This may dispense with the electrical system. Of course, it all depends on the environment.
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2. Save Energy and Save Money
The heat pump is also a bestseller for its energy saving attributes. The installation procedure may take some expenses. Of course, after the installation stage, the rest comes easily.
A heat pump will produce twice amount of heat with just the same amount of energy that an ordinary and less expensive electric heating system will provide. Thus, it necessarily follows that one get to save more money in the process.
3. Consider the Condition of the House
The heat pump can also work best in a household constructed with the proper insulation. There are also energy-efficient elements that can be built in the house.
These aspects shall ensure that with just one heat pump the whole house can enjoy the warmth. These can also facilitate the heat pump to work efficiently at all times, no matter how much the weather outdoor will change or drop.
4. Size and Installation
The right heat pump must be properly chosen according to its size, whether it is to serve a cooling or heating purpose. Ascertain these aspects upon installation.
5. Length of Use
There are heat pumps ideal only for short term utilization. Some can withstand lengthy usage. In general, an air-source heat pump is not to be used over long periods and below zero temperatures. Thus, this should be considered properly with the location of the house and demands of the family members.
6. Ground Source Heat Pumps
Ground source heat pumps or GSHPs are the more effective kind. They may require more expenses for installation. Of course, they become beneficial in the long run. They can last long. They can also help the household save more money.
7. Sound Levels
Most people are discouraged of heat pumps because of the noise aspect. There is, however, an alternative to get rid of this problem.
Choose the right heat pump by buying the ones that have sound levels of, at the most, 7. 6 bels. This indicates the noise level of the outdoor pump. It is better to find sound ratings lower than 7. 6 bels.
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HVAC -To Heat Pump or Not to Heat Pump That Is the Question?
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