soojuspumpid

Soojuspumpid, or heat pumps in English, are devices that transfer thermal energy from a source, typically the environment, to a destination at a higher temperature. This process is the reverse of how a refrigerator works. Heat pumps are highly energy-efficient as they move heat rather than generating it through combustion, meaning they can provide more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume.

There are several types of heat pumps, commonly categorized by the source of heat they utilize and the medium they heat. Air-source heat pumps are the most common, drawing heat from the outside air. Ground-source or geothermal heat pumps use the stable temperature of the earth or groundwater. Water-source heat pumps extract heat from nearby bodies of water. The heated medium can be air, water, or a combination, used for space heating, water heating, or cooling.

The operation of a heat pump involves a refrigerant that circulates through a closed loop, changing state between liquid and gas. In the evaporator, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the source and becomes a gas. This gas is then compressed, increasing its temperature and pressure. In the condenser, the hot, high-pressure gas releases its heat to the destination (e.g., indoor air or water) and condenses back into a liquid. Finally, an expansion valve reduces the pressure and temperature of the liquid refrigerant before it returns to the evaporator, completing the cycle. This ability to both heat and cool makes them versatile systems for climate control in buildings.