Hot water heating is one of the biggest consumers of electricity in homes around the world, but installing a heat pump can significantly reduce energy consumption and save homeowners money. Not only that, but heat pumps also provide consistent hot water and are more environmentally friendly than traditional electric hot water systems.
But how do heat pumps extract heat from the air? Essentially, heat pumps work like a fridge in reverse. They gather a large volume of low temperature heat from the air and concentrate it into a small volume of high temperature heat. This is done by extracting heat from a large volume of air, such as 550,000 litres per hour, and transferring it to a smaller volume of water, such as 300 litres. This process is known as “heat harvesting and concentration,” and it is the key to the heat pump‘s high efficiency.
The efficiency of a heat pump, also known as the Coefficient of Production (COP), is affected by several factors including the temperature of the air it is extracting heat from, the temperature of the water being produced, and the efficiency of the compressor. However, on average, heat pumps have a COP of 400%, meaning that for every 1 unit of electricity input, 4 units of heat are produced. This is significantly more efficient than traditional electric hot water systems, which have a COP of around 99%.
Another advantage of heat pumps is that they do not directly convert electricity into heat. Instead, they gain most of their heat from extracting it from the air, which reduces the environmental impact of hot water heating. Additionally, heat pumps are low maintenance and don’t require regular cleaning or inspection, unlike traditional electric hot water systems.
In conclusion, heat pumps are a smart choice for homeowners looking to save money on energy costs and reduce their environmental impact. They work by extracting heat from the air and transferring it to a smaller volume of water, which is more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional electric hot water systems. With proper maintenance and use, heat pumps can provide consistent hot water for years to come.