The Three Types of Heat Pumps And How They Work

Heat pumps are an extremely energy-efficient source of air and water cooling and heating for homes and businesses. Heat pumps work by using refrigerant and electricity to harness air (in the atmosphere and in the ground) and water (from ponds, lakes, and rivers) in order to transfer cool and hot air into indoor spaces.

They serve the same purpose as conventional AC units while consuming a fraction of the energy. The heating output of heat pumps is two to four times the energy input.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air-source heat pumps are the most affordable type of heat pump. They warm and cool businesses and homes and supply them with water by transferring warm air from the outdoor atmosphere to the indoors. Due to recent technological advancement, the latest air-source heat pumps can function in harsh climates during extended periods of subfreezing temperatures.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal or ground source heat pumps are the most energy-efficient heat pumps, and a great choice regardless of the locale of a business or home. They are also the most expensive heat pumps to purchase and install.

Geothermal heat pumps heat, cool, and supply houses and buildings with water by transferring air from under the ground into the indoors. This is possible because a few feet below the surface, the temperature is constant year-round (even in harsh climates with extended periods of extreme temperatures).

Water Source Heat Pumps

Water source heat pumps are a great option provided a home or business is near a body of water such as a pond or lake. Water source heat pumps are much cheaper to purchase and install than geothermal heat pumps and more energy-efficient than air-source heat pumps because they provide a more constant input temperature.

Water source heat pumps heat, cool, and supply buildings with water by pumping water directly from a water source. As these heat pumps require a constant flow of water from which to draw, extended periods of freezing temperatures impair their ability to function. Depending on the harshness of the winter, it may be necessary to have a backup source of heating.