How Do Heat Pumps Work?

Both air and ground source heat pumps evssentially work on similar principles:

  • Both systems expose chemical refridgerant though a coil of copper pipe to either air or ground heat. This energy absorbtion causes the refrigerant to boil. This fluid in then compressed making it hotter. A heat exchanger then transfers that heat to a water median (normally) which is used for space and bathing water systems.
How an air source heat pump works. A: indoor compartment, B: outdoor compartment, I: insulation, 1: condenser, 2: expansion valve, 3: evaporator, 4: compressor How an air source heat pump works. A: indoor compartment, B: outdoor compartment, I: insulation, 1: condenser, 2: expansion valve, 3: evaporator, 4: compressor
A typical Air Source Heat Pump unit A typical Air Source Heat Pump unit
A typical commercial Air Source Heat Pump A typical commercial Air Source Heat Pump
How a Closed Loop Ground Source Heat Pump works. How a Closed Loop Ground Source Heat Pump works.
A typical Ground Source Heat Pump A typical Ground Source Heat Pump