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. 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.
Heat Pump vs Traditional Heating Systems: Key Differences in Efficiency and Performance
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. Efficiency Factors and Performance Considerations Coefficient of Performance depends on temperature differential, refrigerant properties, airflow, and system design, with well-installed units often delivering two to four units of heat for each unit of electricity consumed.
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. Core Components and Basic Layout The primary elements of an air source heat pump include an outdoor coil, an indoor coil, a compressor, and an expansion valve, arranged in a closed loop that circulates refrigerant.
Heat Pump vs Traditional Heating Systems: Key Differences in Efficiency and Performance
How Refrigerant Moves Heat Evaporation in the Outdoor Coil In the outdoor evaporator, low-pressure liquid refrigerant expands and evaporates, drawing in thermal energy from the ambient air even at temperatures well above absolute zero. An air source heat pump moves heat rather than generating it, using refrigerant and a compressor to capture thermal energy from the outdoor air and deliver it indoors for heating and domestic hot water.
More About How does an air source heat pump work
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