lämpöpumpu

Lämpöpumppu is a Finnish term referring to a heat pump. A heat pump is a device that transfers thermal energy from a source of heat to a destination called a "heat sink" using a refrigeration cycle. It is often used for heating and cooling buildings. Lämpöpumput work by extracting heat from the ambient environment, even when it's cold, and transferring it indoors. Conversely, during warmer months, they can reverse the process, extracting heat from indoors and releasing it outdoors to provide cooling.

There are several types of lämpöpumput, primarily distinguished by their heat source. Air-to-air heat pumps are common, taking heat from the outside air and transferring it to the inside air. Air-to-water heat pumps heat water, which can then be used for radiators, underfloor heating, and domestic hot water. Geothermal heat pumps, also known as ground-source heat pumps, utilize the stable temperature of the earth or groundwater as their heat source. This often leads to higher efficiency than air-source systems.

Lämpöpumput are considered an energy-efficient heating and cooling solution. They consume electricity to operate the compressor and fans, but they move more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume, achieving a coefficient of performance (COP) typically greater than 1. This means for every unit of electricity used, they can deliver multiple units of heat. The specific efficiency and performance depend on factors such as the type of heat pump, the outdoor temperature, and the installation quality. Their adoption is encouraged for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings.