Lämmönpumpun

A lämmönpumpun, often translated as a heat pump, is a device that transfers thermal energy from a heat source to a heat sink. It operates by utilizing a refrigeration cycle, similar to that of a refrigerator or air conditioner, but in reverse. The primary function of a heat pump is to provide heating or cooling for buildings.

Heat pumps can extract heat from various sources, including the ambient air, the ground (geothermal), or water. In heating mode, they absorb heat from the colder source and transfer it to the warmer destination, such as a building's interior. In cooling mode, the process is reversed, extracting heat from the interior and releasing it to the exterior.

There are several types of heat pumps, commonly categorized by their source and sink. Air-source heat pumps are the most prevalent, drawing heat from outdoor air. Ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps utilize the stable temperature of the earth, while water-source heat pumps use bodies of water.

Heat pumps are considered an energy-efficient technology because they move heat rather than generating it through combustion. This efficiency means they can deliver more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume. Their ability to provide both heating and cooling makes them a versatile solution for climate control.