“SOLAR HEAT PUMP”
Introduction of solar heat pump:
A solar heat pump or water heater can help reduce energy utilization over time and bring carbon emissions down too. With a gas or electric booster, can have hot showers all year even when the sun is not shinning.
TYPES:
- GROUND MOUNTED
- ROOF MOUNTED
- HEAT PUMP
HEAT PUMP:
Usually when we think of solar hot water, panels and a collector tank installed on a roof – a traditional model of solar hot water systems clicks to our mind. A SOLAR HEAT PUMP is a different way to use renewable energy to heat water – that doesn’t need solar panels.Heat pumps can save a lot of money that we spend on hot water bills, as they use approximately one -third the energy of an electric water heater. In addition to that , they are an extremely economical option.
WORKING:
A solar heat pump is like a reverse refrigerator. It transmits the heat in the air outside the unit to the water stored inside the heater via heat exchange system. In the term heat pumps, “heat” is a relative term as they can work even in very cold conditions* – at least -10 degrees Celsius, so it will generate hot water even during winter nights.
BASIC PROCESS:
* External air is drawn into the heat pump system through a fan into an evaporator containing a special type of refrigerant, which is kept in a bank. The refrigerant used is called R134a, which is not a CFC, so it doesn’t negatively affect the earth’s ozone layer.
* R134a has an evaporation or boiling point of -26 degree Celsius whereas water has a boiling point of 100 degree Celsius .Temperatures that feel very cold to us are still more than enough to make the refrigerant “boil”. The air that has been drawn into the system, which is warmer than the refrigerant, turns the refrigerant from a liquid to gas inside the heat pump’s piping.
* A compressor pumps the gaseous refrigerant through a small valve which got compressed here and as a result generates a great deal of heat.
* A heat exchanger transfers all the heat from the heated refrigerant gas pipes to the water that is stored in a tank.
* The temperature of the refrigerant drops and the heat has been drawn away, so it converts to a liquid state and the heat pump cycle starts again.
ADVANTAGES:
- Huge savings in hot water related expenses in long term.
- A heat pump can produce 3 to 5 times the amount of renewable energy than electricity required to power the unit.
- It’s an environment friendly hot water option that reduces the greenhouse gas emissions through less energy consumptions.
- A heat pump is effective even in very low temperatures*. In extreme cold, an electric assist is activated to ensure the water remains at the desired temperature
- No roof space or panels are required.
- Easy to install.
CAUTION:
Energy Matters do not recommend installing heat pump units in areas with low average temperatures. Although the units works well in cold weather, installation in cold climates will result in longer compressor run-times which can lead to reduced unit life expectancy and greater energy consumption. The yearly average ambient temperature should be around 19 degrees Celsius.
PRICE:
The price varies depending upon the needs and location, but nearly a few thousand dollars for a good quality of heat pump is expected to cost.
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