What are Heat Pumps? How do they work?

How Does a Heat Pump Work?

A heat pump system works by extracting heat from the outside air and transporting it to the inside when heating a home. It is an HVAC unit that is very energy efficient and best for areas with moderate climates to be an effective heating  and cooling unit. A heat pump system also has a reversing valve so the system is capable of switching directions to bring heat into your home during colder months.

They are one of the most cost effective and efficient heating systems available today. The two most common heat pump system types are an air source heat pump and a geothermal heat pump in-ground system. Though they are both classified as types of heat pump units they have two very different methods of operating and associated installation costs.

Parts of a Heat Pump

Heat pumps have an outdoor condenser unit and an indoor air handler unit that is connected by pipes or tubing to transfer heat. The condenser, compressor with reversing valve and refrigerant tank – make up the outside unit. The evaporator with coils for heating and cooling, blower and air handler – are part of the inside unit. The inside air handler unit is connected to supply ducts that distribute air throughout the home.

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How Does An Air Source Heat Pump Work?

An air source heat pump is a heating and cooling system that works by installing an outdoor unit called a heat pump compressor or condensing unit, and an inside unit referred to as an evaporator or air handler. Because an air source heat pump system is capable of producing one to three times more heat than the electricity used to produce it, they are one of the most energy efficient heating and cooling systems available.

There are a few different types of air source heat pumps you can have installed based on your home’s heating and cooling needs listed here:

• Split system air source heat pumps are the most common type of heat pump system with both an inside and outside component. You can have a single split system often used for only one room or installed for a sunroom or garage. However, most homeowners have a mini-split heat pump (one temperature across all rooms – each handler set to one temperature) or a multi split heat pump which allows for multiple air handlers each with the ability to have different temperatures controlled by the air handler in each room.

• Ducted air source heat pumps are the same as a split system mentioned above but are connected to a series of ducts or ductwork, which provides an efficient means to transport the conditioned air throughout your home. This is a great heating unit replacement option if your home currently has ductwork installed. Otherwise you will incur higher installation costs for your local heat pump contractor to install new ductwork as well.

• A packaged heat pump system uses a single unit container housing the condenser, compressor, evaporator, and blower system. They are often seen placed on rooftops or on concrete slabs located near the home outside.
• A ductless air source heat pump requires zero ductwork replacement or installation. They consist of an outside unit (the condenser and compressor) and an inside unit (the evaporator and blower assembly) connected by suction tubes and wiring rather than being pushed through home ventilation ducts. The indoor evaporator (air handler unit), responsible for air circulation, usually hangs on the wall or is suspended from the ceiling and heats and cools a room through the air handler often through a thermostat and remote system to control the multiple heating and cooling zones.

How Does a Geothermal Heat Pump Work? 

A geothermal heat pump system uses the earth’s constant ground temperature to provide both heated and cooled air. Some models are also capable of producing domestic hot water, which is a valuable add-on option. The closed or open looped tubing installed in the ground contains an anti-freeze solution. A heat exchanger transfers heat between the solution in the tubing and the refrigerant in the system’s heat pump. These highly efficient systems sometimes include variable speed fans and two speed compressors, which further increase their efficiency in both energy use and performance.

Benefits of Heat Pumps

No matter which type of heat pump system you choose, you should notice benefits almost immediately. A heat pump system provides reduced energy consumption which means you will benefit from smaller utility bills and also be helping the environment by reducing your production of greenhouse gases. Since heat pump systems use electricity, there is no danger of being exposed to carbon monoxide gas, as is so often the case with combustible heating systems. Carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous and can cause severe injury and health complications. You and your family can also sleep easier at night without worrying about the fire hazards associated with combustible fuel systems.

A heat pump system will provide your home with years of uninterrupted service providing it is maintained and serviced properly. Heat pump systems require annual maintenance, service, and cleaning to maintain their high efficiency performance. This requires the services of a professional heating and air conditioning technician. However, you can also do your part in maintaining your heat pump system by changing the filter and cleaning the return and vent registers regularly.