Heat Pump
A Heat Pump is a device that uses a small amount of energy available in the atmosphere to move heat from one location to another which is energy-efficient and affordable. The new generation of heat pumps can deliver heat even in extreme conditions, with advanced systems rated as low as 30 degrees below zero. These can also be connected to the hot water storage tanks of existing water heating systems. Particularly when connected to solar water heating systems, huge energy savings can be achieved. The heat pump can be utilized either as the main source for water heating or as a backup system without disturbing the running condition of the existing one.
How does Heat Pumps Works?
It works on the principle of four phases of the reversed Carnot cycle. Major components of a Heat Pump Water Heaters include a compressor, a refrigerant, two heat exchangers (a condenser and an evaporator) and an expansion value.
Evaporator: It contains a liquid refrigerant which evaporates to gas and extracts heat from ambient air which is used to evaporate the water.
Condenser: It compresses the fluid and increases its temperature which releases heat by condensing the refrigerant.
Expansion: It reduces the pressure and temperature of the process fluid to below the level of outside air temperature in order to restart the cycle.