Heat Pump Technology Explained
When it’s time to replace your heating or cooling system, consider getting a heat pump. In moderate environments like that of Peoria, IL, heat pumps offer energy efficiency and convenience. These systems offer both heating and cooling functions, and you might wonder how they can do that. Here are the details of how a heat pump works to keep your home comfortable all year long.
Cooling Phase 1
The heat pump’s liquid refrigerant passes through the indoor coil. Air from your home is blown across it. From there, the refrigerant absorbs the heat. The cooled air then passes through the ducts. The liquid refrigerant turns into a gas.
Cooling Phase 2
The refrigerant goes through the compressor, which pressurizes the gas. It gets hotter and moves to the outdoor coil. From there, the heat is released into the outdoor air. The refrigerant condenses back into its liquid form. At this point, the refrigerant is ready to move into the evaporator coil again. These phases complete a heat pump’s cooling cycle.
Heating Phase 1
To heat your home, the heat pump’s reversing valve reverses the refrigerant cycle. The source of heat is now the outdoor air. Even air temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit have enough heat energy for the heat pump to transfer it into your home. The liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the outdoor air. It turns into a cold gas. The compressor warms it and pushes it into the evaporator coil.
Heating Phase 2
An air handler blows cool air across the evaporator coil, which contains the warm gaseous refrigerant. The cool air condenses the gas into a warm liquid. At this point, the air absorbs the heat released by the refrigerant. This warm air gets blown into your ducts. The refrigerant returns to the outdoor unit, finishing the heating cycle.
Fritch Heating & Cooling, Inc. is Peoria’s trusted installer of energy-efficient heat pumps. We also offer dependable heating and air conditioning maintenance, repair, and replacement services for home and business owners. Furthermore, customers turn to us for helpful indoor air quality solutions. For more information about how a heat pump works, give us a call today.