What is a heat pump?

Over the past few years the words ‘Heat Pump’ have gone from being almost unknown to now being the topic of many conversations in households across the UK as households fight rising fuels bills, adopt a greener mentality and appreciate that fossil fuels aren’t going to be our future, or certainly not the mainstay of our fuel source as they are currently. In recent times the UK government has put its weight behind Heat Pumps and appears to view them as the future of the UKs heating requirements and has adopted a number of incentives to try and increase adoption levels for them through the now obsolete Renewable Heat Incentive and now the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) where homeowners are eligible for a £5.000 grant towards an air source or ground source heat pump (although not air to air systems) as well as other things such as biomass boilers.

So what exactly is a Heat Pump? Heat pumps are a type of mechanical-compression air conditioning system that can be used for both heating and cooling buildings. They work by using a small amount of energy to move heat from one place to another, rather than generating heat directly like a furnace or boiler. This makes heat pumps an efficient and cost-effective option for heating and cooling homes and buildings.

So, how exactly does a heat pump work?

A heat pump consists of two main components: an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The units contains a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. In the winter, the heat pump absorbs heat from the outside air (or ground, in the case of a geothermal heat pump) and transfers it inside the building. In the summer, it does the opposite, absorbing heat from inside the building and transferring it outside.

The heat pump works through a process called refrigeration. Refrigerant is a substance that can easily change between a gas and a liquid, and is used to transfer heat. In the heat pump, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air (or ground) and becomes a gas. The gas is then compressed by the compressor, which raises its temperature. The hot gas is then sent to the condenser, where it gives off its heat to the indoor air and becomes a liquid. The liquid refrigerant is then sent to the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the indoor air and becomes a gas again. The process then starts over, with the refrigerant absorbing more heat from the outside air and the cycle continuing.

Heat pumps are energy efficient because they use electricity to move heat, rather than generating it directly. This means that they can provide the same amount of heat as a traditional heating system, using less energy. In addition, heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling, making them a versatile and cost-effective option for homes and buildings in moderate climates.

While heat pumps do have some limitations, such as being less effective at very low temperatures and being louder than other types of heating systems, they offer a number of benefits that make them a popular choice for homeowners and building owners. These benefits include lower energy costs, a smaller environmental footprint, and the ability to provide both heating and cooling.

NN Home Energy Surveys are based in Northampton and provide EPCs throughout Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and the surrounding towns & villages. We also supply Home Energy Audits, full advice & recommendation, thermography services, cavity wall inspections and MEES advice for landlords plus heat loss calulatations. To book an appointment or for more advice please call us on 07851 957628 or email: david@nnhes.co.uk