How does a heat pump reverse the normal flow of heat?

Answer 1

Heat pumps take advantage of the more constant temperatures in the ground. Usually this means the temperature beneath our feet is warmer during winter and cooler during summer. Water is pumped through a form of buried loop and can transfer heat into the building during winter. During summer it will reverse this by transferring heat from the building into the ground.

Answer 2

The answer is actually simple, but it can be made more complicated by the addition of technical stuff about how different manufacturer's devices work.

A thermostat senses the room temperature mechanically or electronically and turn on when the temperature falls below a set point. When the temperature rises to some point above the set point (determined by the type and setting of the device), the thermostat turns off.

But as I explained to a client recently, who is very intelligent, but just felt bamboozled, A heating system really only has two conditions, It's either ON or OFF.

Heating systems may have more than one 'thermostat', although they like to call them controllers these days, or even sensors.

What they do is either say 'It's cold, turn on' or 'It's hot, turn off.' simple as that.

The boiler, or heating device, or even the valve that decides where the hot water is to be directed, has no wishy washy brain like ours. It does what it is directed to.

Heating systems over the years have got more sophisticated, but a sensor (stat)

simply determines whether it is 'cold' = turn on or it's hot (or reached set point= what you have set it to be comfortable) and then says ok, turn off.

methods of doing this have varied from bi-metallic strips, Mercury in little glass bottles that activate electrical contacts, and now electronic gismos that allow you to pre-program how hot you want to be from breakast to pancake tuesday.

but its still on or off!

Answer 3

With central heating, the heat is generated in one central place which is considered the furnace or boiler by energy sources such as electricity, gas, oil or solar energy and then distributed throughout the home or building. There are two means for this, "forced air" or "forced water". With forced air the air is warmed by the energy source and then transported through duct work to all the rooms. With forced water the water is warmed by the energy source and then the water flows through pipes into radiators in each room which emit heat. The amount of heat is controlled by using a thermostat which regulates the temperature of the home or building..

Answer 4

Central Heating systems rely on the combustion gases that are generated by the burners in the furnace. These pass through a heat exchanger across which the air from the house is blown. The air thus warmed is blown through a system of ducts to distribute around the house.

Answer 5

Heat pumps must do work on a refrigerant in order to reverse the normal flow of energy.

Answer 6

Heating.