Sustainability
HEAT PUMPS
A Sustainable Solution or A Bunch of Hot Air?
Heat pump. It is not a familiar household device. An air conditioner. A central heating system. Those are the common temperature regulators of most American homes. Unfortunately, only 15% of U.S. households are currently being kept nice and comfy by these highly efficiency heating (and cooling) units.
But before proclaiming the advantages of modern heat pumps and why they are an important alternative to traditional HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, a bit of “what the heck is it?” might be helpful.
The heat pumps operate on basic principles of physics, primarily on the Second Law of Thermodynamics. This law postulates that heat will naturally move from an area of higher temperature to an area of lower temperature.
Using energy, usually in the form of electricity, heat pumps reverse this temperature flow. The units are surprisingly efficient compared to traditional heating systems. They also offer the added benefit of operating not only as a heater but as a cooler, i.e., an air conditioner.
Old Technology
The first heat pump was developed in 1856 by Peter von Rittinger near Ebensee, Austria. Rittinger’s design was used for drying salt brine from the salt marshes in the Upper Austria, (Salt marshes in Austria? Who knew?). While the technology was in its infancy at the time, Rittinger’s invention remains the basic design for modern units.
The process begins with the heat pump’s evaporator coil. Containing a refrigerant fluid, which absorbs heat from the surrounding air, even if that air is relatively cool. The absorbed heat turns the fluid into a gas. This gas is then squeezed by the pump’s compressor. Leaning on more physics, (Gay-Lussac’s Law), this increases both the gas’s pressure and temperature.
Heat intended for the resident’s living space is released when the hot pressurized gas travels to the system’s condenser coil. This is where radiating heat is transferred to the internal air, which is then circulated through the home or office. As heat is drawn away from the coil, the gas reverts to its natural liquid state. It is returned to the evaporator coil, where the process repeats until the desired indoor temperature is reached.
To cool a home, the cycle is reversed, and heat is extracted from the interior living space and released outside. This flexibility allows homeowners to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the year without the need for separate heating and cooling systems.
At a time when there is growing emphasis and substantial need on fostering environmentally friendly practices in both the residential and commercial sectors, heat pumps can be a critical tool. Because of their energy efficiency, cost savings, and environmental advantages, incorporating heat pumps in new construction or replacing older HVAC units can have an array of benefits.
The Sustainability of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps stand out as sustainable solution due to their ability to efficiently transfer heat from one place to another. While they primarily use electricity like traditional HVAC systems, their efficiency substantially reduces carbon emissions and the environmental impact associated with electrical production. And when their power source comes from renewable supplies, such as wind or solar production, heat pumps become a crucial tool in the battle against the climate crisis.
While sustainability is critical to our future, taking action to lesson our individual footprints often requires compromise. Heat pumps offer a unique opportunity as their benefit is not only in their energy efficiency, but also in cost savings. Compared to conventional HVAC systems, builders can offer clients not only cost savings, but also lower maintenance costs.
Another element that gives heat pumps the advantage is their quiet operation. The absence of noisy equipment enhances comfort and minimizes disruptions and creates a more peaceful environment for occupants.
Incorporating Heat Pumps into Sustainable Design
Incorporating head pumps into the design and construction of sustainable buildings requires a comprehensive approach. Building designers can leverage the energy efficiency, versatility, and durability of heat pumps to create buildings that prioritize sustainability without compromising comfort or functionality. By integrating heat pump technology into their designs from the outset, developers can maximize energy savings, reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to the creation of greener, more resilient communities.
All of these factors make the units an attractive long-term investment for homeowners and developers. Their integration into building designs offers the opportunity to create energy-efficient structures that prioritize green practices. This optimization of energy usage helps developers meet the new green building standards and certifications.
Some Incentives
In 2022, the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which made the largest single investment into home energy efficiency and infrastructure projects in American history. One of the key elements to the bill was a $2,000 per year credit for installing heat pumps, biomass stoves and boilers with a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75%.
These financial incentives make heat pump installation affordable for both home and building owners while paving the way for greater acceptance of energy-efficient systems.
Not So Fast
Of course, we would be remiss to not mention the drawbacks to heat pumps. Like most heating systems, the equipment’s efficiency decreases when the outside temperature drops. For heat pumps, below 40 degrees Fahrenheit is the point their efficiency begins to weaken. Therefore, before investing into such systems it is essential home and building owners consider their local climate trends and seasonal temperature ranges.
In Conclusion
The working fundamentals of heat pumps are not recent technology, yet they can offer both a significant cost reduction and environmental improvement benefit when compared to conventional HVAC systems.
Whether adapted to current structures or designed for future construction, heat pumps help create greener and more sustainable residential and commercial buildings, which is fast becoming a necessity if we are to create a responsible 21st century.
