Heat Pump Services Baltimore MD

Heat pumps operate on the principle of heat transfer rather than heat generation. Unlike furnaces that create heat, heat pumps work by moving heat. In colder months, they extract heat energy from the outside air and bring it indoors, while in hot months, they reverse this process, extracting heat from indoors and releasing it outside.

The operation of a heat pump is based on the natural tendency of heat to move from warmer areas to cooler ones. It leverages this property by bringing warmer air into contact with cooler areas, resulting in the equalization of temperatures.

What makes heat pumps versatile is the presence of a reversing valve. This valve allows the heat pump to change the direction of the refrigerant flow, effectively giving it two functions: one for cooling your home in the summer and another for warming it in the winter. Here’s how it works: Air is passed over an evaporator coil, transferring heat energy from the air to the refrigerant. The heat energy circulates within the refrigerant and is released when the refrigerant passes through a condenser coil. A fan then blows air across the coil, either warming or cooling your living space.

For heating, the heat pump extracts heat from the outdoor environment and transfers it to the refrigerant. The refrigerant is subsequently compressed to elevate its temperature before entering the indoor unit, where it warms the indoor air.

For cooling, the heat pump absorbs heat from indoor air and conveys it to the refrigerant. The refrigerant is then routed to the outdoor unit, where it releases the absorbed heat, effectively cooling the indoor space.