Heat pumps are more efficient for cooling or heating because they use electricity to move hot or cold air from one place to another, rather than to generate it. This means that heat pumps can deliver up to 10-15 times as much energy as they use.

The principle of heat pumps

A heat pump uses technology similar to that found in a refrigerator or an air conditioner. It extracts heat from a source, such as the surrounding air, geothermal energy stored in the ground, or nearby sources of water or waste heat from a factory. It then amplifies and transfers the heat to where it is needed. Because most of the heat is transferred rather than generated, heat pumps are far more efficient than conventional heating technologies such as boilers or electric heaters and can be cheaper to run. The output of energy in the form of heat is normally several times greater than that required to power the heat pump, normally in the form of electricity. For example, the coefficient of performance (COP) for a typical household heat pump is around four, i.e. the energy output is four times greater than the electrical energy used to run it. This makes current models 3‐5 times more energy efficient than gas boilers. Heat pumps can be combined with other heating systems, commonly gas, in hybrid configurations.

The heat pump itself consists of a compressor, which moves a refrigerant through a refrigeration cycle, and a heat exchanger, which extracts heat from the source. The heat is then passed on to a heat sink through another heat exchanger. In buildings, the heat is delivered using either forced air or hydronic systems such as radiators or under‐floor heating. Heat pumps can be connected to a tank to produce sanitary hot water or provide flexibility in hydronic systems. Many of the heat pumps can also provide space cooling in summer in addition to meeting space heating needs in winter. In industry, heat pumps are used to deliver hot air, water or steam, or to directly heat materials. Large‐scale heat pumps in commercial or industrial applications or in district heating networks require higher input temperatures than in residential applications, which can be sourced from the waste heat of industrial processes, data centres or wastewater.

Application of heat pumps

The application areas of heat pumps are very wide. Here are some common application areas:

Domestic heating and cooling: Heat pumps can serve as part of air conditioning or heating systems, collecting heat from the air or ground, and distributing heat or cool air indoors.

Industrial and commercial: Heat pumps can be used for heating or cooling foods, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals. They can also be used for industrial purposes such as providing heating, water supply or cooling systems.

Greenhouses: Heat pumps can provide heating and cooling in greenhouses to maintain the growth of plants.

Swimming pool heating: Heat pumps can draw heat from the surrounding and use it to heat pool water.

Solar/Geothermal complementary: Heat pumps can be combined with solar and geothermal systems to improve thermal energy efficiency and reduce energy use.

What can we expect of heat pumps

Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular as a way to heat and cool homes and buildings. The future of heat pumps is bright as they are the proven technology of choice to decarbonize heating. heat pumps have made several advances in different areas including fan motors, refrigerants, compressors, coils, and the use of dual sources---ground and air. Dual source heat pumps (DSHP) can draw heat from either the air or the ground, depending on which is most efficient at the time, making it much more effective than traditional heat pump models. New heat pumps are also built with “dual-speed” or “variable-speed” motors to maximize comfort and electricity savings.

In heat pumps, conventional fuel-based heating systems are replaced with technologies that incorporate renewable or green energy sources for functioning. This USP has led to the significant adoption of heat pump technology in residential areas as an option for low-cost heating systems. Apart from this, heat pump technology has contributed significantly to reducing carbon emissions and also complies with regulatory norms.

As a result, growing environmental concerns and permissive regulatory policies are fueling the growth of the heat pump market. Heat pumps using natural refrigerants are gaining traction. Natural refrigerants such as ammonia (R717), carbon dioxide (R744), and hydrocarbon are being increasingly preferred due to their environment-friendly properties.

Key suppliers of heat pumps are focusing on product differentiation through innovation in terms of integration of new technologies, new application areas, and improving efficiency. The latest technologies being integrated by key players are hybrid heat pumps with gas boilers, gas heat pumps, inverter-driven compressors, and smart heat pumps. The growth of Heat Pumps is likely to grow at a growth rate of 4.5% by Volume over the assessment period of 2022 to 2032.

SMAD heat pumps are manufactured using state-of-the-art technology and the highest quality materials. The company has a rigorous quality control process in place to ensure that all of its products meet its exacting standards. If you are interested in distributing SMAD heat pumps, please leave a message with your contact information and a brief description of your business.