Heat Pumps

Heat Pump Basics

The refrigeration system within the heat pump is made up of a compressor and two coils of copper tubing, surrounded by aluminum fins aiding in the transfer of heat. The coils resemble a car radiator. As with refrigerators or an air conditioner, the refrigerant flows through the pipes, back and forth from the outdoor coils.

In heating mode, it extracts heat from the outside coils and moves it into the home as it evaporates into gas. The indoor coils transfer heat as it condenses back into a liquid. A reversing valve, located near the compressor, changes the direction in which the refrigerant flows for cooling in the summer or defrosting the outdoor coils in the winter.

Air-Source Heat Pumps

These provide efficient heating and cooling for the home in a warm climate, such as Texas. If properly installed, an air-source heat pump can deliver 1 ½ – 3 times more heat energy to a home compared to electrical energy consumed because a heat pump moves heat rather than converting it from fuel, exploiting the physical properties of refrigerant.

Refrigerants

A refrigerant is a compound used in a heat cycle that undergoes a phase change from gas to liquid and back, giving off heat or absorbing it. The main uses of refrigerants are refrigerators (or freezers) and air conditioners. The most widely used refrigerants were major causes of ozone depletion, but since the discovery of the detrimental effects of the pollutants within those refrigerants in the 1980s, these have been phased out worldwide, replaced with ozone-friendly refrigerants.

If you have questions about an existing heat pump and its efficiency or are considering replacing your current system or installing a brand new heat pump, call Metro Energy Savers for fast, reliable service from qualified, friendly technicians.

We’d be happy to answer your questions and offer you an estimate or a home system inspection to learn more about your needs.