Heat Pump Hot Water

Heat pump water heaters function uniquely compared to traditional systems. They involve a tank heater with a fan that draws in warm air. This warm air’s heat is then transferred to the water storage tank. Essentially, heat pumps work in a manner akin to a reverse fridge. Instead of expelling hot air to keep the fridge cool, heat pump water heaters draw in hot air to warm the water. Here’s an overview of their operation:

1. Air from outside enters the heat pump system through a fan, flowing into an evaporator containing an eco-friendly refrigerant within its piping.
2. Despite the cold external air, the refrigerant, with its lower boiling temperature, “boils” due to the drawn-in heat, turning into a gas inside the heat pump’s pipes.
3. A compressor pushes the gas through a valve, compressing it and generating significant heat.
4. A heat exchanger transfers this heat from the gas pipes into the water storage tank.
5. The refrigerant’s temperature decreases substantially as it relinquishes heat, reverting to a liquid state, and the heat pump cycle restarts.