Lämmitinpumpuissa

Lämmitinpumpuissa, often translated as heat pumps, are devices that transfer thermal energy from a source, such as the outside air, ground, or water, to a destination, typically a building's interior for heating. They operate on the principle of refrigeration, utilizing a refrigerant cycle to move heat. This process involves a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the source, is compressed to a higher temperature, releases heat to the interior, and then expands to cool down before repeating the cycle.

There are several types of heat pumps, categorized by their heat source and sink. Air-source heat pumps are the most common, drawing heat from outdoor air. Geothermal heat pumps utilize the stable temperature of the earth or groundwater. Water-source heat pumps use bodies of water as their heat source. Heat pumps can also provide cooling by reversing the cycle, extracting heat from the interior and releasing it outdoors.

The efficiency of a heat pump is measured by its Coefficient of Performance (COP) for heating and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) for cooling. These metrics indicate how much heat energy is delivered for each unit of electrical energy consumed. Heat pumps are considered an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating systems, as they can significantly reduce electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions when powered by renewable energy sources. They are widely used for residential and commercial heating and cooling.