10 April 2025
A heat pump is a device that is increasingly installed in buildings. It is cheap to use, comfortable to use, energy-saving and safe. Heating the house with a heat pump also has a beneficial effect on the natural environment, because the system uses renewable energy sources for its operation, and does not produce harmful exhaust gases during operation. Do you want to find out what the heat pump consists of and how does it work? You will find the answers to these questions in the article below!
Heat pumps - what is this heating device?
A heat pump is a heating device that uses renewable energy sources. It absorbs heat from the environment, i.e. from the so-called lower heat source: from the air, from the ground or from the water, and then directs to the heating system of the building. In order to ensure the correct operation of the heat pump, electricity is necessary, but only to drive the compressor. Heat pumps base their work mainly on energy derived from natural resources.
What exactly is the principle of operation of a heat pump? Heat is collected using a heat exchanger, and then, by means of a refrigerant (also called a working medium), it is subjected to thermodynamic changes, during which its state of aggregation changes. The exact diagram of the heat pump operation can be found in the article: Heat pumps - how do they work?
Types of heat pumps
Heat pumps have a similar internal structure, but the way they operate, as well as the efficiency of the heat pump, may be slightly different depending on what the lower heat source is. Thus, it is distinguished:
- ground heat pumps - use the thermal energy accumulated in the ground;
- Air heat pumps consume heat energy stored in the air. There are two types of air heat pumps:
- Air-to-water heat pumps - they draw heat from the outside air and direct it to the central heating system and to the domestic hot water (DHW) installations
- air-to-air heat pumps - they also use thermal energy from the atmospheric air, but transfer them to the interior of the rooms;
- Water heat pumps - use the thermal energy accumulated in groundwater.
Heat pump construction - components
All heat pumps have the same components, although depending on the type of pump they are located in different places (the difference is especially visible in the case of air heat pumps, which may be used as a heat pump, air, water, split or a heat pump, air, water, monoblock - more You can find out about their construction in the article: Heat pump monoblock or split?).
How is the heat pump built? Its basic components are:
- Evaporator - is a heat exchanger in which the process of heat removal from the environment takes place;
- compressor - a device that is designed to compress the refrigerant circulating in the heat pump circuit, which increases its pressure and temperature - as the only component it is powered by electricity;
- Condenser - a heat exchanger, which is responsible for condensing the working medium circulating in a closed circuit of the heat pump - changing the state of concentration from steam to liquid makes the temperature rise and can be transferred to the heating system of the building;
- expansion valve - is designed to expand the working medium in the heat pump circuit, as a result of which its pressure is lowered until it is completely evaporated;
- The working medium - the medium that circulates in the heat pump circuit - is responsible for the transport of thermal energy. It should be distinguished by low boiling point, high heat transfer coefficient and stability during thermodynamic changes.
Without a compressor, evaporator, condenser, expansion valve and operating medium, the operation of the heat pump would not be possible. Want more information about heat pumps? Are you interested in their installation in your home? Contact us and we will answer all your questions!
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