How heat pumps work

An electric heat pump can heat your home during the winter and cool it during the summer. The major parts of a heat pump include:

Heat Pump Diagram

  1. Compressor: This increases the pressure of the refrigerant so that it will accept the maximum amount of heat from the air.
  2. Condenser: Coils that move heat to or from the outside air.
  3. Evaporator: Coils that move heat to or from the air inside the home.
  4. Air handler: Fan that blows the air into the ducts of the home. Components 1, 2, 3 and 4 are found in all standard air conditioners.
  5. Reversing valve:Changes the heat pump from air conditioning to heating, and vice versa. This is not part of the thermostat.

Heat pump video clip

This video clip explains how heat pumps work and can help you decide if a heat pump is right for your home.

To view it, you need Apple QuickTime Software

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