Discover everything you need to know about heat pumps – Installation process, working, heat pump components and more. Read on to learn more.

 

Heat pumps: what they are and how they work 

 

A heat pump is an important part of a home heating system that, during the winter, extracts heat from the outdoor air to transfer it indoors and make living spaces warm and cosy. Despite its name, a heat pump does not generate heat but transfers and redistributes it from one place to another by using the air or ground as a source. 

 

How many components are there in a heat pump?

 

In a typical heat pump system, you can find many components, each one with its own important function:

Indoor unit: a component that usually contains a fan and a coil. The former helps distribute air across the coil and your home ducts—the latter acts as a condenser.
Outdoor unit: a component in which, like the indoor unit, another fan blows outside air over another coil that operates as an evaporator to facilitate heat exchange.
Compressor: a component that pressurises the refrigerant while moving it throughout the entire heat pump system.
Refrigerant: a substance that circulates inside the heat pump system to absorb and reject heat.
Expansion valve: a component used to regulate the flow of refrigerant while allowing it to reduce its temperature and pressure.
Reversing valve: a component that changes the flow of the refrigerant to switch between heating and cooling.

 

Is a heat pump the right choice for your home?

When it’s time to decide whether a heat pump is the right choice for you and your home, you may consider the type of climate you live in. Heat pumps are more useful in warmer climates, where winter is not too cold, and temperatures never drop below 0 degrees. In colder places, heat pumps are combined with furnaces to operate efficiently and generate more heat, thanks to an ad hoc dual fuel system.

 

How to decide where to place your heat pump?

Installing a heat pump requires proper planning, and finding the perfect location is the first vital step to ensure your appliance will work perfectly over time. 

Firstly, the outdoor unit of your heat pump should be placed in an area with natural airflow, and it’s best to keep it in an open space where it is easy to access for general maintenance.

Secondly, you must be sure that no plants or shrubs are located nearby your appliance to avoid the possibility of them encroaching upon the installation site.

There are also some general regulations to follow:
• Choosing a well-qualified heating engineer to install your unit is the best way to ensure everything will be appropriately configured.
• If you live in a restricted or protected area, you should check with your local regulations and permitting authority before performing the installation.

Future consideration about heat pumps.

 

Once your heat pump is installed correctly, you want it to work at its best for a long time. So, keeping in mind that landscape can impact its future performance, it is crucial to consider.

For this reason, here are some pieces of advice you should follow:

Make sure to check your heating heat pumps are not placed in areas with direct sunlight exposure. 

• Refrain from stacking items on your outdoor unit to prevent possible airflow restrictions.
• Provide adequate drainage to prevent water from collecting and letting rust form.
• Find an installation site that is far from plants to avoid the possibility of them encroaching upon the location.

Is it time to purchase and install a brand-new heat pump or replace your old one? Make sure to follow all the tips and advice given above.