Thermal pumps for heating the house: types and principle of operation

For many homeowners, keeping their house warm and comfortable throughout the winter is of utmost importance. It’s more crucial than ever to find efficient heating solutions because of growing energy costs and environmental concerns. Thermal pumps are one cutting-edge technology that has grown in favor in recent years. These gadgets provide a cost-effective and environmentally responsible means of heating your house while using less energy. This post will discuss the various kinds of thermal pumps that are available and how they operate to maintain a comfortable temperature in your house.

Heat is extracted from one source and transferred to another by thermal pumps, also referred to as heat pumps, which work on the basis of thermodynamics. Thermal pumps function by transferring heat from the outside to the interior, even during cold weather, in contrast to conventional heating systems that produce heat. When compared to producing heat from scratch, this process uses a great deal less energy, making it extremely energy-efficient. Thermal pumps are flexible year-round options because they can also be used to cool your house during the sweltering summer months.

There are various kinds of thermal pumps available, and each has benefits and uses of its own. The most popular kind, air-source heat pumps, draw heat from the surrounding air even at -15°C (5°F) temperatures. These pumps work well in moderate climates and are comparatively simple to install. Geothermal heat pumps, commonly referred to as ground-source heat pumps, draw heat from a body of water or the earth. They are more expensive up front and require more work to install, but they are very effective at providing steady heating regardless of changes in the outside temperature.

The absorption heat pump is another kind of thermal pump that is becoming more and more popular. It powers the heat transfer process with the help of a heat source like solar energy or natural gas. Although these pumps are increasingly available for residential use, they are still frequently found in commercial buildings. Hybrid thermal pumps are another option; they combine several technologies to optimize performance and efficiency, providing a customized answer for a range of heating requirements.

For homeowners who are thinking about using thermal pumps for their heating needs, it is imperative that they comprehend how they operate. Thermal pumps are essentially made up of an evaporator, an expansion valve, a condenser, and a compressor. The compressor, which raises the temperature of a refrigerant gas by compressing it, starts the process. After entering the condenser, the hot gas releases heat to warm the water or air inside your house. Now that it has cooled, the refrigerant expands as it goes through the expansion valve, absorbing heat from the ground or outside air to get ready for the next cycle.

In conclusion, homeowners wishing to lessen their energy usage and environmental effect can consider thermal pumps as an effective and sustainable substitute for conventional heating systems. A thermal pump can be used to meet different heating needs and climates thanks to the variety of models that are available, including air-source, ground-source, absorption, and hybrid models. Thermal pumps use the laws of thermodynamics to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions while providing your home with year-round comfort.

Device and principle of operation

Even at temperatures below 1 °C, almost every environment that we are in contains some thermal energy. Why not heat your own house with a portion of this energy? A thermal pump is used to accomplish this.

The basis for the heat pump’s operation is the transfer of heat from a source with a low thermal energy potential to the coolant, which has a higher temperature. In actuality, it appears as follows:

1. The coolant enters the pipeline located, for example, in the ground, and heats up several degrees.
2. Then the coolant enters the heat exchanger (or evaporator) and transfers the collected thermal energy to the internal circuit.
3. A refrigerant (a substance with a low boiling temperature located under low pressure), which is located in the outer circuit, is heated in the evaporator and turns into a gas.
4. Then the gas -shaped refrigerant enters the compressor, where it is compressed under the influence of high pressure. At the same time, the temperature of the refrigerant becomes even higher.
5. Hot gas enters the condenser, where it transfers thermal energy to the coolant of the internal heating system of the house.
6. After that, the refrigerant, which has lost heat, returns to the system in a liquid state.

Since refrigerators operate on the same principle, certain types of thermal pumps can be used effectively as air conditioners in the summer to cool the room.

With the help of the heat pump, you can use ambient low-voltage thermal energy to heat your home.

Video: device and operation of thermal units

Types of units

The categorization of heat pump options based on the kind of coolant used in the external and internal circuits of the structure provides a visual representation of those options. The gadget is able to obtain energy from:

• soil;
• water (reservoir or source);
• air.

The resulting thermal energy within the home can be utilized for air conditioning, water heating, and heating systems. Therefore, depending on how these components and functions are combined, there are various types of thermal pumps.

"Grace-Water" system

Since the temperature of the soil is relatively constant five meters below the surface and is not greatly influenced by weather variations, producing heat from the soil is thought to be one of the most efficient forms of alternative heating.

Geothermal heat pumps are equipped with specialized heat-conducting probes.

Known by most as a brine, this unique liquid is used as a coolant on the outer circuit. This composition is friendly to the environment.

Plastic pipes make up the outer circuit of the thermal pump type "soil-water." You can bury them vertically or horizontally in the ground. In the first scenario, for every kilowatt of pump power, work on a sizable area—between 25 and 50 kV—may be required. A horizontal collector’s designated area cannot be utilized for agricultural purposes. Only the disintegration of the lawn or the placement of annual flowering plants are permitted in this area.

In order to build a vertical manifold, several wells that are between fifty and one hundred fifty meters deep are required. Such a geothermal heat pump is thought to be more effective because the soil temperature is higher and more stable at this depth. In this instance, specific deep probes are used to facilitate heat transfer.

Pump "water-water"

Since the water temperature stays relatively high and steady at a deep depth, a water pump can be an equally good option. They are useful as a low-potential heat energy source because they can be:

• open reservoirs (lakes, rivers);
• groundwater (wells, wells);
• Wastewater of industrial technological cycles (reverse water supply).

The design doesn’t differ significantly from one another. Building a heat pump with an open reservoir will have the lowest costs because coolant-filled pipes need to be loaded into the water and given a load. Utilizing groundwater’s potential will require a more intricate design. Building a second well might be necessary to release the water that goes through the heat exchanger.

Utilizing the water pump in an open pond can yield significant financial benefits.

Universal version of the "air"

The air heat pump is less efficient than other models because its power is drastically decreased during the winter. Nevertheless, deep wells or labor-intensive soil excavation are not necessary for its installation. All you have to do is select and install the appropriate equipment—for instance, directly onto the house’s roof.

Installing an air-water heat pump doesn’t require extensive installation work.

The reusing of heat, which leaves the premises heated heat pump with waste air or water, as well as in the form of smoke, gas, etc., is without a doubt the design’s greatest advantage. P. You should have backup heating sources available to make up for the air heating pump’s inability to operate during the winter.

The least expensive option may be the air-to-air heat pump, whose installation does not require the labor-intensive work required to create a conventional water heating system in rooms.

In the world of heating and insulating your home, thermal pumps stand out as an innovative solution worth exploring. These pumps offer efficient heating by tapping into renewable energy sources, like the heat present in the air or underground. There are different types of thermal pumps, each with its unique way of harnessing this heat. Ground-source pumps extract warmth from below the earth"s surface, while air-source pumps pull heat from the outdoor air. Regardless of the type, the principle remains the same: transferring heat from one place to another using a refrigerant fluid. This process allows thermal pumps to provide warmth during cold months and even cool your home during warmer seasons. Understanding the types and operation principles of thermal pumps can empower homeowners to make informed choices about their heating systems, promoting energy efficiency and sustainability in household heating solutions.

The advantages and disadvantages of the system

In addition to solving many urgent issues, installing the home’s heat pump and integrating it into the heating system or building a full-fledged heating station offers the following benefits:

• This is an autonomous heating system, the only centralized element of which is the connection to the mains;
• This method can significantly save on expensive energy media, which are traditionally used for heating and significantly reduce utility costs. The average heat transformation coefficient is 3.5 – 4.5. From 1 kW of electricity, the pump produces from 3 to 7 kW of heat. These are the highest indicators among all types of boilers working on any fuel;
• The system is safe for human health and for ecology. It helps to save the non -renewable energy resources of the planet;
• Fire safety and insecurity of parts. This boiler does not overheat, does not explode, does not burn, does not emit carbon monoxide;
• One pump can produce both heat and cold, providing the desired microclimate in the house, as well as heat water for household needs;
• Durability-according to the experience of European residents, the life of the equipment is 20-50 years;
• Comfort and silent work. The system is controlled by automation;
• The installation of the pump does not require approvals that are needed during installation, for example, gas equipment.

95% of homes in Sweden and Norway are heated by heat pumps.

There are significantly more benefits to such a system than drawbacks.

Among the drawbacks are:

• the relatively high cost of the installation and the pump itself, the payback of such a system directly depends on the intensity of its operation;
• The need to attract specialists and the use of special drill and other technique for arranging a geothermal pump with a vertical contour, the depth of which can reach 200 m.

How to make a heat pump with your own hands

Heating the house with thermal pumps is both practical and cost-effective. Experience to date indicates that even though this design is expensive, living areas larger than 400 square meters in private homes will benefit from it for many years to come. More modestly sized home owners are able to design and install heat pumps within their own structures. Here are some guidelines for making these practical gadgets:

• First you need to take care of the acquisition of the compressor, for example, intended for the air conditioner. Usually it is fixed on the wall.
• Another important part of the structure – the capacitor – can be done independently. To do this, you need to make a coil from a copper pipe (thickness of at least 1 mm), which is placed in a case of metal or plastic. A suitable tank is suitable as a case. After the coil is installed, the halves of the tank are welded, mounting the necessary threaded joints. The evaporator is also usually mounted on the wall. To make a high -quality coil, you can wind a copper plumbing pipe around an item of suitable diameter, a gas cylinder is quite suitable. To make the distance between the turns the same, use a perforated aluminum corner on which the coil turns are fixed.
• The final installation of this equipment: soldering of a copper pipe, download of freon, etc. P. – only a qualified specialist must perform. Inattentive actions can damage equipment, in addition, they are associated with a high probability of household injuries.
• After that, the structure is connected to the internal heating system of the house.
• Then the external circuit is installed and connected, the features of this process depend on the type of thermal pump.

The state of the house wiring and meter will not be prevented prior to turning on the heating pump. Equipment that is old and in disrepair needs to be replaced. The electric meter must have a minimum power of 40 amps to be considered.

Regrettably, not every thermal pump used to heat the home meets the owners’ expectations. This is typically the result of inaccurate thermodynamic calculations. Consequently, an inadequately powered system is acquired or the expenses of unduly powerful apparatus are escalating. In addition to many other factors, you should consider the building’s heat loss when selecting a system with the right amount of power. The design engineer should be in charge of these computations.

Thermal pumps, which use renewable energy sources like the sun and the ground, provide an effective and environmentally friendly way to heat homes. Through comprehension of the various varieties of thermal pumps and their functioning principles, homeowners can make knowledgeable choices to improve their heating systems.

Geothermal heat pumps, commonly referred to as ground-source heat pumps, use the steady temperature of the earth beneath the surface to provide year-round heating. Through the use of subterranean pipes, this technology transfers heat from the earth during the winter and returns it during the summer. Carbon emissions and energy costs can be greatly decreased by ground-source heat pumps with appropriate installation and upkeep.

Even in extremely cold weather, air-source heat pumps draw heat from the outside air and bring it inside to warm the house. This adaptable solution works well in a variety of climates and is less complicated to install than ground-source heat pumps. Even though air-source heat pumps might perform less well in very cold temperatures, additional heating systems can be included to guarantee comfort all year round.

The advantages of both ground-source and air-source heat pumps are combined in hybrid heat pumps, which increase flexibility and efficiency. These systems maximize efficiency and reduce energy consumption by automatically alternating between air and ground sources based on the outside temperature. Hybrid heat pumps minimize their environmental impact while providing dependable heating by utilizing multiple heat sources.

To sum up, thermal pumps are an eco-friendly substitute for conventional heating systems that let homeowners cut back on energy use and utility expenses. Thermal pumps ensure efficiency and comfort inside buildings while contributing to a greener future by utilizing renewable energy sources such as the sun, air, and ground. Knowing the various kinds of thermal pumps and how they work enables homeowners to make wise decisions and invest in solutions that improve the environment and their homes.

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