Expansion and Return to the Outdoors After giving up its heat, the high-pressure liquid passes through an expansion valve or capillary tube, where its pressure and temperature drop sharply before returning to the outdoor evaporator. Heating and Cooling Modes By reversing the flow of refrigerant with a four-way valve, the same outdoor and indoor coils can switch roles to provide cooling in summer and heating in winter.
Understanding Heat Pump COP and Efficiency Factors
This step is crucial because it moves the refrigerant to a temperature level that allows heat to flow into the indoor space when the condenser coil is colder than the refrigerant. As the refrigerant changes phase, it releases the thermal energy collected outdoors plus the energy added by compression, providing efficient space heating and often domestic hot water preheating.
Compression and Temperature Rise The vapor refrigerant is drawn into the compressor, where mechanical work raises its temperature and pressure significantly, transforming it into a high-temperature, high-pressure superheated vapor. Refrigerant absorbs heat as it evaporates in the outdoor evaporator, is compressed to a higher temperature and pressure, releases warmth in the indoor condenser, and then returns to the outdoor unit to repeat the cycle.
Understanding Heat Pump COP and Its Impact on Efficiency
A fan pulls air across the coil fins, improving heat transfer as the refrigerant changes from liquid to vapor without reaching boiling point at the prevailing pressure. Cold climates may require specialized refrigerants, larger outdoor coils, or auxiliary backup heating to maintain performance as outdoor temperatures fall, while proper sizing and airflow are essential to avoid efficiency losses and ensure consistent comfort.
More About How does an air source heat pump work
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