Heat Pumps

Definition

Heat pumps are devices that transfer heat from a colder area to a warmer area, using mechanical energy. They can be used for both heating and cooling purposes.

Analogy

Think of a heat pump as a reverse refrigerator. Just like how a refrigerator removes heat from inside to keep it cool, a heat pump extracts heat from the outside and transfers it indoors to warm up the space.

Related terms

Refrigerators: Refrigerators are appliances that remove heat from their interior compartments and release it into their surroundings, resulting in lower temperatures inside.

Heat Engines: Heat engines are devices that convert thermal energy into mechanical work, typically by allowing heat to flow from a high-temperature region to a low-temperature region.

Coefficient of Performance (COP): COP is a measure of how efficiently a heat pump operates. It is defined as the ratio of desired output (heating or cooling) to the required input (electricity).