Posts Tagged ‘types of heat pumps’

 

Types of Heat Pumps: Geothermal

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Types of Heat Pumps: Geothermal - Heating and Cooling

Nowadays, there are numerous types of heat pumps used as an alternative to conventional heating systems because of their many benefits; among which, energy efficiency ranks highest. Besides air source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps also use heat transfer to generate energy.

How Does It Work?

Geothermal heat pumps capture the energy stored by the earth and transform it into heat that is transferred to your home. This type of pump requires the underground installation of a system of pipes, which are filled with a water-based solution. These pipes are connected to a geothermal heat pump located in your house, which functions as a furnace and A/C unit at the same time.

What Are the Advantages of Geothermal Heat Pumps?

Energy-Efficient: This technology enables you to slash energy bills by no less than 80%, according to statistics.

Eco-Friendly: Geothermal heat pumps use renewable energy, are non-polluting, reduce your carbon footprint, and do not impact the environment as other traditional heating systems do.

What Are the Disadvantages of Geothermal Heat Pumps?

Installation is Costly: Although they are energy-efficient in the long run, these pumps are expensive as far as installation is concerned. Geothermal heat pumps are pricey because installation is complicated and labor-intensive. There’s a lot of excavation and drilling during the installation process. You would need no less than 15 years to recover your investment, considering that installation costs start from $10,000, and may reach $30,000.

If you’re interested in geothermal heat pumps, and want to know to what extent it might be an alternative for your particular situation, it’s best to discuss the details with an expert. Many people who choose to install this technology benefit from financial assistance provided by local, state, or federal agencies.

Need Help?

Seva Call can connect you with a local expert specializing in geothermal heat pumps who can provide you all the answers you’re looking for.

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Types of Heat Pumps: Air Source Heat Pumps

Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

Types of Heat Pumps: Air Source Heat Pumps - Heating and Cooling

There are several types of heat pumps, and they all use the principle of heat transfer to produce heat. Air source heat pumps are based on this fundamental idea as well. Instead of burning fuel to generate heat, they transfer the heat from outside into your home. Let’s see how they work, and what their benefits are.

What Are the Benefits of Air Source Heat Pumps?

These pumps are usually installed outside, near the house, or at its back. They heat the air with the help of a heat pump, which is then transferred to radiators, or other forms of heating, such as underfloor systems. They can even supply you with hot water. Air source heat pumps use electricity, but the energy consumption is not high compared to how much heat it can produce.

Effectiveness and Efficiency

Air source heat pumps may cost several thousand dollars, but if used effectively they can save you up to 40% on your utility bill. This would mean that your investment should pay off on the long run. However, here’s what you should keep in mind to maximize air source heat pump efficiency.

– Air source heat pumps work best with underfloor heating systems or large radiators, because they generate less heat than conventional central heating and require a larger area to produce high temperatures.

– If you consider installing an air source heat pump, you need to insulate your house properly, otherwise you might lose energy.

– Heat pumps do not require much maintenance after installation.

– They can work as an air conditioning unit, cooling your house during hot days.

– Heat pumps have a reduced carbon footprint as compared to other heating systems.

Need Help?

Want to know more about heat pumps or do you want to install one? Seva Call can put you in touch with a local expert who can answer your questions and assist you with installation should you need it.

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Types of Heat Pumps: Absorption

Monday, February 3rd, 2014

Types of Heat Pumps: Absorption - Heating and Cooling

For areas that do not experience extreme climates, an energy-efficient way to meet modest heating and cooling demands is to use heat pumps. There are different types of heat pumps, including air-source heat pumps, ductless mini-split heat pumps, and geothermal heat pumps. For residences, a new heat pump system is called absorption heat pump.

An absorption heat pump is basically an air-source heat pump that, instead of using electricity, runs on other heat sources like propane, natural gas, or water heated by renewable energy (solar or geothermal). Typically, absorption heat pumps are fueled by gas, which is why they are also called gas-fired types of heat pumps. The counterparts of these products are the absorption or gas-fired coolers, which operate on a similar concept, but cannot be used to generate heat.

How It Works

An absorption heat pump works by using water-ammonia absorption cycle to produce heating as well as cooling. Similar to a traditional heat pump, heat is released when the ammonia (refrigerant) condenses in a coil; then, the pressure reduces and the ammonia evaporates to absorb heat.

These types of heat pumps provide cooling by absorbing the heat from the inside of your home and provide heating when it emits heat to your home’s interior. Unlike standard heat pumps, the evaporated ammonia actually goes into water and it is then pumped up and heated until it is boiled out of the water. Then, the cycle repeats itself.

Innovations

An important part of the recent models out on the market is an innovative technology called GAX (generator absorber heat exchanger), which is able to recover the heat emitted when the water absorbs the ammonia, therefore, making the unit much more efficient. Other innovative features now available include low-emissions, variable flow rates of ammonia, and higher efficiency of vapor separation.

Ask a Heating Expert

Interested to know more about different types of heat pumps and which one will work best for you? Speak with a heating and cooling professional who can give you expert advice and can take care of proper installation should you decide to invest in a heat pump for your home. Call Seva Call now to be connected directly to service professionals in your area.

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