Air Source Heat Pumps
Air Source Heat pumps transfer heat by circulating a refrigerant through a cycle of evaporation and condensation. A compressor pumps the refrigerant between two heat exchanger coils. In one coil, the refrigerant is evaporated at low pressure and absorbs heat from its surroundings. The refrigerant is then compressed en route to the other coil, where it condenses at high pressure. At this point, it releases the heat it absorbed earlier in the cycle.
The refrigerant is the liquid/gaseous substance that circulates through the heat pump, alternately absorbing, transporting, and releasing heat.
In an evaporator, the refrigerant absorbs heat from its surroundings and boils to become a low-temperature vapor. As the refrigerant passes through the compressor, the accumulator collects any excess liquid that didn’t vaporize into a gas. The compressor squeezes the molecules of the refrigerant gas together, increasing the temperature of the refrigerant.
The condenser is a coil in which the refrigerant gives off heat to its surroundings and becomes a liquid.
The expansion device lowers the pressure created by the compressor. This causes the temperature to drop, and the refrigerant becomes a low-temperature vapor/liquid mixture.
An inevitable technology to follow in water or room heating and/or cooling concepts in near future.
The term ‘heat pump’ is very descriptive. It is a device that ‘transfers’ or ‘pumps’ heat from one place to another. Unlike conventional electric geysers, which generate energy to heat the water, air source heat pumps transfer the heat from ambient to water and so, heat pumps are three to four times more efficient than conventional electric geysers.
Heat pumps are often referred to as ‘low carbon devices’ since marginal electricity is needed to run the compressor. However, if they are coupled with solar PV systems, the device surprisingly turns into a ‘carbon neutral device’ which is an advancement preferred nowadays all over the globe aiming towards decarbonization. Powering the device with renewable energy makes it a more sustainable means for water heating and/or room heating or cooling applications along with reliability and efficiency.
The beauty of air source heat pump technology is its ability to operate as a heating device effectively and even to perform as cooling apparatus too.
Key Features of ASHP:
# Wide range of rated heat capacity output.
# Customized solutions as per requirement.
# Capability to deliver hot water even at sub-zero temperatures.
# Round the clock throughout-the-year hot water availability.
# Very compact in size.
# Low maintenance, and reduced operating costs as compared to electric water geysers.
# Economical due to a higher Coefficient of Performance(COP).
