Many people question how, if the water enters at 50 degrees, can it heat
your home to 72 degrees?
You are likely to hear or read the explanation that it works like an air conditioner
that can run in reverse. While that is true, it does not help most people understand
the question 'how'.
It is actually quite simple.
1. Let's say the water enters the home at 50 degrees.
2. That water enters the heat pump (looks much like a traditional furnace) where it goes through the first 'heat exchanger' giving its heat to the refrigerant gas.
3. That gas goes to a compressor, when put under pressure the gas temperature
increases.
4. The gas then goes to the second heat exchanger where it gives its heat to
circulating air for a hot air system or water for a baseboard or radiant system.
5. The gas then goes to an expansion valve which allows the gas to cool off, and
then back to step 1.
Do not confuse ground source heat pumps with the less efficient cousin, air source heat pumps. While the air source heat pumps have the attraction of lower up front cost, they have higher cost of operation, maintenance and shorter life span.
