The heat pump is a heating device that is very popular nowadays in Quebec for its great efficiency given the extreme outdoor temperatures. If you have just bought one for the heating season, you are probably wondering how it works? Excel Climatisation explains in detail how a heat pump works in this article.
A few generalities about how a heat pump works
Very often, most people confuse the heat pump's air heating system with traditional heating. It actually works like a refrigerator with its indoor unit and its outdoor unit. Indeed, the heat pump recovers heat thanks to an evaporator, while the freon evaporates at low pressure in a coil aimed at improving energy efficiency compared with conventional systems.
Thus, the heat from the ambient air is pumped toward another coil. There, it condenses at high pressure and releases the heat. Two main types of heat pumps must be distinguished:
- Wall-mounted heat pumps: Globally, wall-mounted units are installed in condos, in commercial spaces or existing homes that do not have a central system or ventilation ducts.
- Central heat pumps: They are mainly installed outside a home and rest on a wall or on the ground like the central air conditioner. The central system has ventilation ducts in the home that allow for more uniform ventilation, while the wall-mounted one has no ducts.
How does a heat pump work in cooling mode?
The cooling mode is used in summer. It recovers the indoor heat and sends it outside. In doing so, it provides cool air with the help of a fan to soften the temperatures and improves the energy efficiency of a building.
It is also able to keep the humidity level stable. In light of the issues related to this last element, it is important to choose a heat pump whose power and energy are equivalent to the home's needs.
How does a heat pump work during the heating season?
The heating mode simply uses the reverse process in cold climates. The heat pump captures the outdoor heat to deliver it indoors. Furthermore, in winter it can happen that your heat pump fills up with frost at low temperatures and increases your energy consumption, which can lead to heat losses.
As a result, your device has a defrost mode. The only drawback remains the momentary shut-off of the heat pump during defrost mode, which does not facilitate the cooling cycle.
Excel Climatisation is a team of technical advisors who offer you services and products that are high in quality and performance. We are in partnership with Carrier, the largest dealer in Canada. Our 25 years of experience make the difference in all our fields. Contact us right now for all your inquiries.
