Posted by Owen | Posted in Heat Pump | Posted on 23-01-2011
0
A heat pump simply refers to a home appliance that is used for both heating and cooling purposes. In other words, a heat pump can heat and cool your building in one unit. In fact, it can be used as an alternative to conventional air conditioning system. One of the great things regarding a heat pump is that it requires very less electricity for its functioning. The outcome is tremendous savings in energy bills.
Types of heat pumps
From its early versions that were noisy and not much efficient, this device has come a long way and the
heat pumps now available are quiet and much reliable as well as energy efficient. There are mainly two
types of heat pumps such as:
Air Source Heat Pumps – This is the most common type of heat pump. It usually consists of a coil, a fan and a reversing valve.
Geothermal Heat Pumps – It is regarded as an eco-friendly option to heat or cool your building.
How does a heat pump work?
The working of a heat pump depends on the type of heat pumps. For instance, a geothermal heat pump uses a specialized device in the form of heat exchanger to utilize the natural warmth storage capacity of the ground to heat your building during winter. It reverses its function in summer to extract heat from
your home and provide a cool atmosphere. In the case of air source heat pumps, it removes heat from outside air and works more or less like a refrigerator. A specialty of this type of heat pump is that it can remove heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as 15 degree Celsius.
Owing to the cut-throat cost of utilities, majority of people now opt for alternative energy sources like geothermal heat pumps. Geothermal heat pumps, alternatively referred to as water-source heat pumps or GeoExchange heat pumps, utilize the earth’s constant temperature to heat or cool your building rather than relying on the temperature of the outside air.
A geothermal heat pump mostly comes attached with a heat exchanger, pipes, and ductwork. The ground will be usually warmer when compared to the air temperature in winter, and the role of the heat exchanger is to transfer this warmth into your building. Further, its function will be reversed when the ground will be relatively cooler in summer. The outcome is that it not only helps for energy and cost savings but also helps for effective removal of excess heat from your building.
In contrast to conventional HVAC pumps, geothermal heat pumps consume very less energy. Further, the geothermal pumps result in decreased emissions, which at the same time is higher in air source heat pumps. Further, an air source heat pump can reach only up to 250% efficiency on a cool day while a GHP can reach up to 600%.
As in the case of other types of heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps can be used to heat and cool water. There are also certain models of geothermal systems that come with variable fans and multi-speed compressors in order to help for increased energy savings. Above all, a great thing regarding geothermal heat pumps is that they require less maintenance and hence last for longer period.
The installation cost of a geothermal heat pump is relatively high. However, you can be contented that it will fetch you huge benefits by way of additional energy savings within five to ten years.
Owing to the cut-throat cost of utilities, majority of people now opt for alternative energy sources like geothermal heat pumps. Geothermal heat pumps, alternatively referred to as water-source heat pumps or GeoExchange heat pumps, utilize the earth’s constant temperature to heat or cool your building rather than relying on the temperature of the outside air.
A geothermal heat pump mostly comes attached with a heat exchanger, pipes, and ductwork. The ground will be usually warmer when compared to the air temperature in winter, and the role of the heat exchanger is to transfer this warmth into your building. Further, its function will be reversed when the ground will be relatively cooler in summer. The outcome is that it not only helps for energy and cost savings but also helps for effective removal of excess heat from your building.
In contrast to Heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps consume very less energy. Further, the geothermal pumps result in decreased emissions, which at the same time is higher in air source heat pumps. Further, an air source heat pump can reach only up to 250% efficiency on a cool day while a GHP can reach up to 600%.
As in the case of other types of heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps can be used to heat and cool water. There are also certain models of geothermal systems that come with variable fans and multi-speed compressors in order to help for increased energy savings. Above all, a great thing regarding geothermal heat pumps is that they require less maintenance and hence last for longer period.
The installation cost of a geothermal heat pump is higher in cost but when considering the 30% federal tax credit and monthly operating cost.. the payoff is worth it. However, you can be contented that it will fetch you huge benefits by way of additional energy savings within five to ten years.
