subject: Heat Pump - An Overview [print this page] Heat Pump - An Overview Heat Pump - An Overview
The main function of a heat pump is to help in improving the heating as well as cooling of a building. Such a device can emanate either hot or cold air depending on whether you need to warm up or cool down the building. A refrigerator provides an excellent example of what such a device is and this can be seen from the fact it (the fridge) uses special kind of fuel which is placed around the fridge's circuit so as to operate its heat pump. A fridge's circuit has four main elements: evaporator, condenser, expansion valve and compressor. When heat is drawn away from its source it results in the evaporation of the working fuel (via the evaporator) and this causes release of heat which then cools down the area. With the release of heat the working fuel gets to be condensed by the fridge's condenser and this in turn creates cool air which with the help of a reversing valve is aimed at the working fuel and this result in reversal leading to heating up once more. The heat pump works just like this and it removes heat from a source so that a given area can be kept sufficiently cool. Typically, the heat pump is most often used in locations where there is greatest need for heating as well as cooling and where the existing source of heating and cooling is inadequate. Used to Heat, Cool, and Dehumidify So, heat pumps are used in heating and cooling and in dehumidification systems as well as to heat up domestic water. When used in standard heating systems the heat pump will separate the heat from different sources including air, water, soil and even bedrock. On the other hand the heat pump can also be used in cooling systems when it will discharge heat instead of separating the heat. Industrial as well as domestic heating and cooling solutions make good use of a heat pump as such a device ensures less consumption of energy and so is more cost efficient. Different kinds of heat pumps are available with each offering its own benefits. The ground source heat pump is the most popular among all options and it works without an external fan. It is also quiet and does not get damaged as easily as other kinds of heat pumps. If you are worried about costs of heating and cooling then you can cut costs by using a geothermal heat pump. Such a pump can make use of energy that is already stored in the earth and in addition it is designed in a manner to ensure quiet as well as proper heating and cooling and of course it costs less to operate.
