Heat pumps are becoming more and more popular because they use the heat stored in every place: in the air, soil or water. They have many advantages. In an economical, effective and ecological way, hot water is obtained and the house is heated.
Types of pumps
This solution is based on the use of renewable energy. Due to the type of heat source, pumps are divided into:
- groundwater – the most popular solution in Poland. The ground is the source of heat. They are used to heat the house and water. It is highly effective, so it is often used as the only source of home heating. A disadvantage in this case is the large surface area required to install such a system. Horizontal exchangers require a large plot area, while for the installation of a vertical exchanger, drilling must be performed, which can be up to 100 meters,
- water – they are distinguished by high efficiency, therefore they can also be the only source of heating. However, it is a very expensive investment. The pump is supplied externally with electricity, gas or oil,
- air – at the stage of purchase and assembly they do not require high financial outlays. The pumps draw air from outside and can transport the heat inside the building or into a hot water tank. In this case, it is worth equipping the house with an additional heat source as a support for pump operation or as a replacement during very low temperatures.
- hybrid – a combination of renewable and traditional sources.
Elements and operation
Each device consists of an exchanger that extracts heat, a compressor and another exchanger made of stainless steel for heat dissipation. There is also an expansion valve in the pump. The systems consist of a ground heat source with constant high temperature and high heat capacity, a heat pump unit and an upper heat source distributing the heat in the house. Pumps, although they differ in the source of heat, function similarly because they use the phenomenon of gas compression. During compression, the temperature rises. When depressurization occurs, a large amount of heat is absorbed from the environment. For this reason, the compressor plays a key role in the operation of the pump, and thanks to it, the heating medium circulates inside the pump. Gas evaporation removes heat from the environment, condenses and transfers it to the installation.
- https://www.wsfki.edu.pl/ile-kosztuje-prywatna-wizyta-u-ortopedy/
- https://www.ponadto.com.pl/bariera-mikrofalowa-na-lotnisko/
- https://www.gran-bruk.pl/pl/jak-dzialaja-czujniki-ruchu/
The most important parameters of heat pumps are:
- COP – the ratio of the amount of heat supplied to the amount of energy consumed during operation; the higher the coefficient, the lower the cost of operating the pump,
- SCOP – the ratio of the energy needed to heat the building to the energy used by the pump during the season.
Advantages
The growing popularity of this solution does not come out of nowhere. Users find out for themselves how many benefits can be derived from the use of heat pumps. By investing in them , it is noted that:
- energy is completely free,
- the system is environmentally friendly,
- heat pumps are effective, even at low temperatures outside,
- the pumps are flexible and can be combined with underfloor heating and radiators with a low flow temperature,
- are a guarantee of durability and easy to use,
- is the cause of lower heating costs,
- does not require gas supply,
- in new homes exempts from the obligation to install a chimney.
What to pay attention to before installation?
Before deciding to buy and install a heat pump, you should consider issues such as:
- the pump works effectively when the heating system does not require a high flow temperature,
- the house must meet the standards of energy-efficient construction,
- in the case of a small plot of land, it is not profitable to install ground heat exchangers,
- it is worth combining pumps with existing heat sources,
- an individual project should be made for each building and a thermal analysis should be carried out to select the appropriate pump power,
- all projects should be carried out by persons with appropriate permissions.
The thermal modernization of the building has a great influence on the pump efficiency. A large, well-insulated house is easier to heat than a smaller house with worse heat conduction parameters. It also affects the selection of the device, its size and power, which is associated with the total installation costs. Low heat losses result in a faster return on investment. The replacement of the heating system usually takes place during the thermal modernization or renovation of the boiler room, which facilitates the installation of an air-water pump, which does not require works related to the implementation of the ground source.
They extract heat from the air, regardless of its temperature. The only conditions that must be met are the appropriate adaptation of the pump to the specifics of the house. It is worth remembering that up to 75% of the energy needed for heating will come from the environment. Declining purchase and installation prices and very high efficiency cause increased interest in heat pumps. This solution has many advantages, especially allows you to save on heating costs. The energy they use comes from natural sources. However, it is necessary to properly prepare for such an investment by employing specialists and the appropriate selection of the system.
