Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps work by extracting heat from the outside air and transferring it to the inside of a building for heating purposes. Here’s a simplified explanation of how they work:

Heat Extraction:
The air-source heat pump absorbs heat from the outdoor air using an outdoor unit, often referred to as the evaporator. Even at low temperatures, there is still usable heat energy present in the air.

Heat Transfer:
The absorbed heat is transferred to a refrigerant — typically a fluid with a low boiling point, such as R410A or R32 — inside the evaporator coils. As the refrigerant evaporates, it turns into a gas.

Compression:
The gaseous refrigerant is compressed by a compressor, increasing its temperature and pressure. This process raises the energy level of the refrigerant.

Heat Release:
The hot, high-pressure refrigerant flows into the indoor unit, known as the condenser, where it releases heat into the indoor space. During this process, the refrigerant condenses back into a liquid.

Heat Distribution:
The condensed liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion valve or metering device, reducing its pressure and temperature. This prepares it to re-enter the evaporator.

Repeating the Cycle:
The refrigerant returns to the evaporator to absorb more heat from the outdoor air. This cycle continues, constantly extracting heat from outside and releasing it indoors.