Understanding the Essential Parts of a Heat Pump

Heat pumps work to both cool and heat your home and have many working parts. When you experience a heat pump malfunction, it’s hard to know what caused the problem unless you are familiar with the parts of a heat pump.

Whether you experience a heat pump malfunction in winter or summer, ending up in a home without sufficient temperature control can quickly become unsafe. Contact a professional as soon as possible to inspect your heat pump for the cause of impairment.

Comfort Specialists is Roxbury Township's trusted heat pump repair team. We provide all aspects of heat pump repair, so call us at (973) 381-2726 to get an estimate.

What Is a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps, sometimes called reverse refrigerators, cool your space like an air conditioner, but they can also heat the space. A heat pump is an efficient way to control your home's indoor temperatures.

There are a couple of different types of heat pumps. A professional can help you decide which is ideal for your home. 

Ground Source Heat Pump

Also known as a geothermal heat pump, this type uses water or another natural source to transfer heat. Ground-source heat pumps are an advancement in sustainable technology.

Air-Source Heat Pump

A popular option, air-source heat pumps use refrigerant to adjust the temperature of your home, much like an air conditioner. This post focuses on air-source heat pumps. 

Parts of a Heat Pump

Your heat pump has a condenser coil on one side and an evaporator coil on the other. As the refrigerant flows into the condenser, it heats up and becomes a gas. This heat creates warmth in your home.

To cool your home, the refrigerant flows through the evaporator in liquid form. The cool refrigerant removes warmth from the air, and your unit blows cool air into your home.

When you know a little bit about the parts of a heat pump and their purpose, you can communicate effectively with a professional when the time comes for a maintenance call. 

Refrigerant

Heat pumps use refrigerants to maintain temperature. Refrigerant moves perpetually through the evaporator, condenser, expansion valve, and compressor. It works to create heat in your space when desired, or remove it when you want to cool the room.

Compressor

The compressor inside your heat pump applies pressure to the refrigerant in order to create heat. The warm refrigerant flows through your heat pump, warming your home or cooling it as necessary. 

Scroll compressors work in a rotary fashion to quietly and efficiently power your heat pump. 

The compressor is one of the major components in heat pump operation. The compressor works very hard in both winter and summer. If you notice a drastic increase in your energy bill, a professional should check your compressor for signs of damage. 

Condenser and Evaporator Coils

The condenser creates heat to warm your home. Condenser coils typically consist of copper or aluminum, and these delicate metals easily sustain damage. If you notice a hole in your condenser coil, no matter how small, contact a professional before the damage becomes more serious. 

As the condenser coil heats, the blower motor moves hot air over the coil and into the space. 

The evaporator works the opposite way. The refrigerant passes through the coils, and the blower motor blows cool air into your home. 

When your condenser and evaporator coils operate without compromise, you will enjoy a comfortable indoor temperature all year long. Over time, the coils may start to show signs of wear. 

A qualified professional can assess damage to your condenser and evaporator coils. If caught early, you may only need a repair. Full replacement of condenser and evaporator coils is very costly.

Expansion Valve

The compressor applies pressure to the refrigerant and turns it into a gas, creating heat. When the pressurized refrigerant exits the compressor, it flows into the expansion valve, which releases pressure and keeps the heat pump working as it should. 

Contact the Experts for Reliable Heat Pump Services

With all the moving parts of a heat pump, it should come as no surprise that you should invest in routine maintenance. A qualified HVAC technician can remove debris from in and around your heat pump and ensure all parts are in good working order.

When you schedule an appointment with a professional HVAC technician, you can learn the advantages of a heat pump and if you have the proper power source for the type you want to install.

Call (973) 381-2726 and schedule HVAC service with our team at Comfort Specialists in Roxbury Township, NJ.