The importance of heating and air conditioning efficiency has gained immense importance in the modern world. The need for more environmentally friendly alternatives to outdated technologies has made heat pump installations unalternative. Such systems are increasingly used for heating and cooling modern buildings.
Heat pump systems are machines that are characterized by a refrigeration cycle of operation. They consist of two heat exchangers. One acts as an executor, and the second is a condenser.
In addition, heat pumps have a compressor and a throttle valve. Between them is the refrigerant, changing its aggregate state during operation. Heat pump installations consist of an internal and external circuit. The first is formed by the heating or air conditioning system. Usually water circulates in it. In the second circuit is the refrigerant, most often freon is used.
The installations are an excellent substitute for older heating methods, but they make a huge contribution to more efficient ventilation of residential or public buildings. Heat pumps can cool or heat water intended for domestic use. In these cases, fan coils or floor coils are used, which act as heating elements.
Heat pumps are divided into three main types. According to their characteristics, they can be: air-to-water, water-to-water or air-to-water. Most often, they are also classified according to their purpose. According to this characteristic, heat pumps can be used for: cooling; heating and cooling; heating, cooling and supplying hot water.
The most popular are installations with a separate air heat exchanger. They produce energy through an external evaporator, which is installed in an open space. Such installations do not take up much space and are extremely popular precisely because of their compactness. Most of this type of installations have frost protection. Such heat pumps are distinguished by low costs and high COP.
The classification of heat pumps is also made based on the heat exchanger that accumulates heat. If the same working fluid circulates in it, or water is used that returns to the water source, the systems are divided into closed and open.
The biggest advantage of such installations is the ability to be used all year round. In winter, heat pumps heat residential or business premises, while in summer they cool and ventilate the air in buildings. Open installations receive the energy necessary for their operation through a borehole. They provide so-called free cooling.
An additional heat exchanger is provided for the system to work. It achieves passive cooling. Thus, the energy comes out completely free of charge, because the water from the borehole is used indirectly. This type of cooling requires coolant values of at least 10-15 degrees, and the fan coils are sized according to this temperature.
The higher efficiency of the COP is influenced by the type of installation. For this purpose, the type of unit must be selected, which in turn depends on the characteristics of the site, the operation of the site, the operating mode, the location of the system, etc.
It is good to know that the systems guarantee low energy costs, but the price of such installations is not small at all. It is advisable to make a plan for the purchase and operation of the installation, which will make it easier for the user to choose the appropriate heat pump option.