Air source heat pumps work by taking heat from the air and using it to heat your home. They absorb heat from the air into a fluid, which then goes to a compressor where it gets hotter. This heat is then used to warm up water or air, which is distributed around your home.
First and foremost, you should know that heat pump is simply a device whose primary function is the transmission of thermal energy from one spot to the other. A good example can be found in the refrigerators whereby the evaporation as well as cooling of a liquid is incorporated to lower the storage compartment’s temperature. In recent times, this whole technology is utilized to draw the potential thermal energy present in the air outside and transmit it directly to the home or property where it’s going to be compressed and the heat transferred with the help of a number of coils. This is exactly what an air source heat pump does as it absorbs heat from the air and convert it into a higher temperature using a compressor. How the air source heat pump works is really simple, it’s just like a refrigerator but in reverse. Let’s take a look!
- The air source heat pump extracts heat present in the outside air into a liquid refrigerant at a reduced temperature.
- The pump then compresses the liquid to increase its temperature with the help of electricity. Once done, it then compresses it back to liquid so as to free the heat stored.
- The heat released is then directed to the radiators or under floor heating, while the ones left would be stored in the hot water cylinder.
- The hot water that’s stored can be used for showers, baths as well as taps.
Overall, the air source heat pump is an efficient way to make your home warm. It makes use of electricity to function, but it should consume lower electrical energy than the heat it generates.