At
the heart of Ecodan is a modern, inverter-driven heat
pump compressor which converts free energy from the air
and upgrades it to higher temperatures suitable for
heating. The inverter control regulates the system so
that heat output modulates to match the exact capacity
required, meaning the boiler will only consume the exact
energy needed at any given time and thus increase
efficiency further. The advanced heating technology used
in heat pumps make them ideal for use in the UK’s
ambient temperatures and hence perfect for the domestic
market.
The
technology inside the heat pump is similar to any
domestic refrigerator, which uses a vapour compression
cycle. The main components in the heat pump are the
compressor, the expansion valve and two heat exchangers
(an evaporator and a condenser).
How
it works
-
Refrigerant
in the evaporator is colder than the heat source.
This causes the heat to move from the heat
source (in this case the outside air) to the
refrigerant, which then evaporates.
-
This
vapour moves to the compressor and reaches a higher
temperature and pressure.
-
The
hot vapour now enters the condenser and gives off
heat as it condenses.
-
The
refrigerant then moves to the expansion valve; drops
in temperature and pressure; and then returns to the
evaporator.