Understanding Heat Pumps
Understanding Heat Pumps
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Heat Pump Types
A heat pump uses technology similar to that found in a refrigerator or an air conditioner. It extracts heat from a source, such as the surrounding air, geothermal energy stored in the ground, or nearby sources of water or waste heat from a factory. It then amplifies and transfers the heat to where it is needed. The extraction and amplification is powered by electricity, however heat pump systems are considerably more effective than fossil fuel powered heating systems. A heat pump draws on average 3 units of free heat from its surroundings to which 1 unit of electricity is added which results in an output of 4 units. So you effectively pay only for 1 unit for every 4 units of heat you receive.
While heat pumps are more efficient than traditional oil and gas burners they produce less heat. Therefore one requirement for a heat pump to work properly is a well insulated house.
There are several different kinds of heat pump systems. The most common ones are Air to Water and Ground Source Heat Pumps.
Air to water heat pumps extract heat from the air and distributes it through radiators and underfloor heating. This system can also produce hot water.
Ground source heat pump systems are less common than air source units. A ground source heat pump system, also known as a geothermal heat pump system, uses the earth as a source of renewable heat. Heat is drawn from the ground through collector pipework and transferred to the heat pump. The ground collector can be laid out horizontally at a shallow depth or vertically to a greater depth.
Water Source heat pump systems are similar to ground source heat pumps but draws the heat from a water body instead of the ground. This might be an option if you have a pond or if you are near a river.
Heat Pump Effectiveness
While heat pumps are more energy efficient than traditional oil and gas burners they produce less heat. Therefore a vital requirement for a heat pump to work effectively is a well insulated house.
More information on heat pumps is available here:: https://www.seai.ie/publications/Homeowners-Guide-To-Heat-Pump-Systems.pdf
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