Heat pumps are one-of-a-kind appliances that can both heat and cool your home. To understand more about how heat pumps work, HVAC contractor Modern Air Solutions discusses how heat pumps operate, depending on the season.
Heat pumps, like traditional air conditioners, use refrigerants to move heat from one location to another. The refrigerant transitions from a hot liquid to a cooled gas as it circulates through the system. The refrigerant extracts heat from the surrounding air and moves it outside your home as it evaporates into a gas. The cooled, conditioned air is distributed throughout your home and the remaining household air is returned to the evaporator to complete the cycle.
How Heat Pumps Work in Summer
In summer, a heat pump works by transferring heat from the inside of your home to the outside. It employs a coil and a fan, with the coil serving as a condenser. It also uses refrigerant, which absorbs heat and pushes it outside, cooling the air in your home.
Heat pumps are an excellent cooling option in the summer, despite being more commonly associated with heating for winter. A heat pump performs well even in humid climates and can keep your home comfortable all season. It is energy-efficient and you will likely save money on your monthly utility bills if you use it all year round. Just make sure to properly maintain your heat pump with the help of an air conditioning repair professional.
How Heat Pumps Work in Winter
During winter, heat pumps work like an air conditioner, but in reverse. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air and transfers it into your home. The liquid coolant is transferred to the evaporator, where it is depressurized and converted into a gas. This gas becomes extremely cold and absorbs as much heat as it can from the inside of your home before traveling to the outdoor compressor and transforming into a hot liquid.
The hot coolant is then forced through your condenser coils by a powerful fan. To aid in the release of heat energy, air flows over all of the condenser coils. After the heat from the refrigerant is dispersed outdoors, the refrigerant cools and is returned to the evaporator to begin the process all over again.
Whatever the season may be, you can count on Modern Air Solutions for all your HVAC concerns. We offer quality air conditioning service all year round. Call us at (630) 534-9037 or fill out our contact form to book an appointment.
