A heat pump is a thermal machine that extracts heat energy from a reservoir at a lower temperature (typically the environment) and transfers it, along with the driving energy, as useful heat at a higher temperature to a heating system.
Here are some key pieces of information about heat pumps:
How a heat pump works:
- The heat pump utilizes renewable energy sources like air, groundwater, or soil to bring heat into the building.
- Similar to a reversed refrigerator, it moves heat indoors.
- A refrigerant in a piping system acts as a medium to transfer heat.
Environmental friendliness:
- Heat pumps can be environmentally friendly if they operate efficiently, despite their significant electricity requirement.
- Efficiency depends on proper planning and environmental factors.
Prerequisites for heat pump usage:
- Well-insulated houses with surface heating systems (e.g., underfloor heating) are well-suited for heat pumps.
- Traditional radiators are also compatible.
Coefficient of performance and efficiency:
- The coefficient of performance reflects the heat pump’s efficiency.
- Efficiency (COP) measures how much heat the heat pump generates per unit of energy consumed.
Types of heat pumps:
- Air-source heat pumps use outside air as their heat source.
- Geothermal heat pumps draw heat from the ground.
- Ground-source heat pumps use groundwater as their heat source.
Advantages and disadvantages:
- Advantages: Environmentally friendly, efficient, versatile.
- Disadvantages: High electricity consumption, high initial investment.
Financial assistance and ongoing costs:
- Incentives are available for installing heat pumps.
- Ongoing costs include maintenance and electricity usage.
Overall, heat pumps offer a sustainable solution for building heating and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions.