In this article I will explain in simple words what a heat pump is and what types of heat pumps there are

A heat pump translated into English is a heat pump

All air conditioners that can operate in heating mode are heat pump, i.e. heat pump

As you know, some air conditioners can work for heating up to -7 degrees Celsius, others up to -15, and some up to -25 and lower, which means that the efficiency coefficient of the collector at the operating negative temperature is not lost, in simple words, the lower the temperature outside, the more the collector consumes energy, some already below minus 7 degrees Celsius begin to consume electrical energy as a heater.

An air conditioner running on heat is an air heat pump or else they are called air-to-air heat pumps

What is interesting about heat pumps is that their work is based on the compression and expansion of freon. And taking into account the properties of freon (it cools during compression and heats up during expansion), the compressor (pump) increases or decreases the pressure. Releasing heat or cold. This property allows you to convert electrical energy into heat. Depending on the manufacturer, the energy conversion coefficient is mainly 1 to 3- 4. That is, by consuming 1 kilowatt of electrical energy with the help of an air conditioner (heat pump), we get 3-4 kW of thermal Energy, i.e. on average we can heat 30-40 Square meters, which is 3-4 times more than heating with an electric boiler that consumes as much electrical energy as it emits heat and the conversion coefficient of electric heaters is approximately 1:1 

Therefore, it is more profitable to use an air conditioner for heating than electric heaters

Since the air temperature changes, the outdoor unit (the heat exchanger circuit of the outdoor unit for heat removal) to maintain a constant temperature began to be placed in the ground below the freezing depth, in a reservoir, in wells - there is the same (stable temperature) all year round there are no strong fluctuations

This is how geothermal heat pumps appeared, which use the energy of the environment: soil, deep water, etc.

Also, according to the type of heating, heat pumps can heat the air, and if you put a container with water instead of an indoor air conditioner unit, then they heat the water (for heating with a water underfloor heating, for hot water, for heating the pool, etc.)

The heat pump usually heats the water to 50 degrees Celsius, does not boil it like water heaters, but this temperature is enough to go to the shower without diluting the boiling water with cold water, heat the house with a water underfloor heating, or heat the water in the pool

 There are different types of pumps depending on where they will take energy from. We will consider three main types of heat pumps.

Air-to-air pumps

Designed to convert heat from the air mass outside the house due to its special design. Their main advantage is versatility, as they work well at any temperature outside the window, can work for room heating and cooling. Such structures are easy to install and serve for a long time, providing economical electricity consumption. They are often called low-temperature air conditioners (which can work on heat up to -15, some models up to -25 degrees Celsius

Air-water pumps

This is the right solution for climatic conditions where the average air temperature does not fall below 15 degrees. In such weather, pumps easily take heat from the air and heat the water with it, otherwise productivity will be greatly reduced. In this variant, water can be used both for heating and for cooling the room with the help of indoor units called Fan coil, Fan coil is an indoor unit that is similar to the indoor unit of an air conditioner, only instead of freon, water (coolant) is connected to it Fan coils can cool or heat the room with air (using a coolant water or a special liquid (coolant) 

Water-water pumps (Rosol)

The pump collector must be placed in a reservoir or well, from where it will receive an energy resource for heating water. Such a device can also be used in the cold season, the equipment is relevant for an area rich in rivers, lakes and springs.

There are also pumps of the ground-water system that use the potential of the earth and soil to obtain the necessary heat (they are also called geothermal)

Geothermal heat pumps

The presence of a heat pump allows you to use natural resources to generate energy to heat water and provide heating in a private house. This allows you to significantly save on electricity, as well as to be completely autonomous, independent of the boiler house, gas pressure or local nuclear power plant.

Usually, the contour of the geothermal pump is placed in the ground below the freezing depth or wells are drilled with an average depth of 70 m. from the 1st running meter of the well, 50 watts of thermal energy is taken from the average 

that is, the heat pump cools the liquid (rosol) up to 0 degrees Celsius and the soil having a constant temperature all year round of 4 degrees Celsius increases the temperature of the dew point, which allows you to heat water or air in your house

Advantages of pumps in comparison with boilers

Why is it still more profitable to install a heat pump of any system at home, and not, for example, a boiler? After all, its installation is also simple, and the equipment is inexpensive. The difference in cost during operation.

In addition, boilers run on gas or firewood, which poses a problem for residents in providing these resources constantly, and this is either economically unprofitable or becomes a laborious process (chopping firewood, furnace, ash removal, etc.).

Heat pumps are the best option for a private home, due to their main advantages:

• Cost-effectiveness – any pump runs on electricity, but when a special tariff is connected, waste becomes minimal, with the consumption of 1 kW of electricity, the pumps are able to generate 3-5 kW of thermal energy.
• Eco-friendly - pumps use the energy of nature to generate heat for your home in any weather, do not emit harmful substances and toxic gases into the atmosphere, reduce electricity consumption.
• Multifunctionality - heat pumps provide simultaneous heating or cooling of the room, as well as water heating.
• Durability - according to statistics, heat pumps last longer than gas and other boilers, while they work reliably, the control is simple and fully automated, allowing the residents of the house to live in comfortable conditions in any weather.

Do not forget that the installation of a heat pump requires documentary approval in special instances, as well as the boiler. However, after the final installation of the equipment, the house is fully provided with air conditioning, heat and hot water, using only a minimum amount of electricity for work.