Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) efficiently heat and cool buildings by transferring heat between the outside air and the interior. Here’s a detailed look at how they function:
Basic Principle
Air source heat pumps work based on the principle of heat transfer. They extract heat from the outside air and transfer it indoors to heat a building. Conversely, during warmer months, they can reverse the process to cool the interior by moving heat outside.
Key Components
- Compressor: This component circulates refrigerant between indoor and outdoor units. It compresses the refrigerant, which raises its temperature and pressure.
- Evaporator Coil: Situated in the outdoor unit, this coil absorbs heat from the outside air. The refrigerant inside evaporates, turning from liquid to gas as it absorbs heat.
- Condenser Coil: Located in the indoor unit, it releases the absorbed heat into the building. The refrigerant condenses back into a liquid, releasing heat in the process.
- Expansion Valve: This valve reduces the refrigerant’s pressure, allowing it to cool before returning to the evaporator coil to absorb more heat.
Heating Mode
- Heat Absorption: The evaporator coil absorbs heat from the outside air, causing the refrigerant to evaporate into a gas.
- Compression and Heat Release: The compressor increases the gas’s pressure and temperature, then sends it to the condenser coil.
- Heat Distribution: In the condenser coil, the refrigerant releases heat into the indoor space as it condenses into a liquid.
- Recycling Process: The refrigerant, now a liquid, passes through the expansion valve, cools down, and returns to the evaporator coil to repeat the cycle.
Cooling Mode
In cooling mode, the process reverses:
- Heat Absorption Indoors: The indoor evaporator coil absorbs heat from the air, cooling the space.
- Compression and Heat Release Outdoors: The refrigerant carries the heat to the outdoor condenser coil to release it.
- Recycling Process: The refrigerant returns to the indoor evaporator coil, continuing the cycle.
This cyclical process allows air source heat pumps to efficiently regulate indoor temperatures year-round.
If your interested in air source heat pumps for your business, get in touch with the team for a FREE quotation.
