You probably have several heat pumps in your home, even though you may not recognize the term. “Heat pump” is just a general phrase referring to any device that moves thermal energy in order to control temperature. That means that the following appliances are all heat pumps:
- Furnaces
- Air Conditioners
- Refrigerators
- Space Heaters
Here in the Southwest, heat pumps are an excellent choice for homeowners looking to heat or cool their homes. At Radiant Plumbing, our experts provide consultation and installation of the very top-of-the-line heat pump products. We supply the highest quality brands available, and the extent of service provided by our HVAC technicians simply can’t be beat.
But you might like to know before your purchase or replace a heat pump in your own Austin home: what makes a heat pump work? When you purchase a “reversible” heat pump to both heat and cool your home all year round, what is happening inside the machine?
For both heating and cooling modes, the step-by step process goes like this:
- The device’s evaporator carries thermal energy by compressing a refrigerant — which is typically a chemical like Freon.
- The condenser transfers that thermal energy to the air, which is moved around (for forced-air heating) by an air handler inside of the building or (for cooling) leading to the exterior. In systems that heat water, the same applies.
- The refrigerant is allowed to expand, cool, and absorb heat, and the cycle repeats.
So that’s what goes on inside of a heating pump as it’s keeping your home’s temperature comfortable in all seasons. For more information, you can talk to a Radiant technician or check out temperature control options on our website. Call Radiant to have the best heat pump for your home installed today, and to have our professionals take care of all your HVAC needs!