How the heat pump works - simply explained
©Bild: envato.com
The heat pump is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly heating systems of our time. It uses the energy stored in the environment and converts it into heat for your home. But how exactly does it work? In this article, you'll find out everything you need to know about how a heat pump works - explained simply and to the point.
What is a heat pump and how does it work?
Find out everything you need to know about the definition, functionality, benefits and cost-effectiveness of a heat pump below.
Definition
A heat pump is a heating system that absorbs thermal energy from the environment (air, water or earth) and makes it usable for heating, hot water and sometimes even cooling through a technical process.
How it works in 4 steps:
1. energy absorption from the environment
The heat pump extracts energy from the environment:
- Air source heat pump: Takes heat from the ambient air.
- Ground source heat pump: Uses the energy stored in the ground.
- Water heat pump: Taps energy from groundwater or other water sources.
Would you like to find out more about the different types of heat pumps? Then click here and discover all the details.
2. compression of the refrigerant
The refrigerant in the heat pump absorbs the energy and evaporates. A compressor then increases the pressure, which heats the gas to a high temperature.
3. energy transfer to the heating system
The recovered heat is transferred to the heating system. The refrigerant condenses and becomes liquid again.
4. cycle starts again
The cooled refrigerant flows back and starts the process again. In this way, heat is continuously generated.
We have prepared an infographic for you here to illustrate how it works even more clearly:
You can find more infographics at Statista
Advantages
Um dir einen besseren Überblick zu bieten, haben wir die Vorteile der Wärmepumpe kompakt zusammengefasst:
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Eco-friendly | Uses renewable energy, reduces CO₂ emissions |
| Low operating costs | Low operating costs Cost-effective compared to fossil heating systems |
| Versatility | Heating, cooling and hot water preparation in one |
| Subsidies available | Government grants make the purchase easier |
Tip: In Austria, you can apply for the “out of oil and gas” subsidy until 31.12.2025. You can find more information here.
Profitability and amortization.
Is a heat pump financially worthwhile? Although heat pumps are more expensive to purchase than fossil fuel heating systems, they offer low operating costs. Thanks to the savings in energy costs, the investment usually pays for itself in just a few years.
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Conclusion
The heat pump is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly heating solutions of our time. It uses renewable energy sources such as air, water or earth to heat your home sustainably, provide hot water and even cool it. Despite higher initial costs, it often pays for itself after just a few years thanks to low operating costs and government subsidies.
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