5 Heat Pump Components and Their Purposes in Clemson, SC

If your Clemson, SC, home relies on a heat pump, understanding how it works is a good idea. That begins with some knowledge of the main components of a heat pump. Here are five of those components and what they do.

1. Compressor

A compressor is the part of a heat pump that increases its refrigerant pressure, pushing it through the lines to expel or absorb heat. Most heat pumps utilize either a reciprocating or scroll compressor, with the latter offering quieter, more efficient operation.

2. Condenser

A condenser is a coil that transfers heat from the heat pump’s refrigerant into the air. In cooling mode, the coil in the outdoor unit serves as the condenser. In heating mode, the coil in the system’s indoor unit serves as the condenser.

3. Expansion Valve

As its name suggests, an expansion valve is a device that decompresses refrigerant through expansion. As the refrigerant’s pressure decreases, its temperature also decreases. Once the refrigerant is colder than the ambient air temperature, it readily absorbs the heat from around it.

4. Evaporator

An evaporator is a coil that lets liquid refrigerant absorb heat from the surrounding air until it boils into a vapor. In heating mode, the coil in a heat pump’s outdoor unit operates as an evaporator. In cooling mode, the indoor unit’s coil becomes the evaporator.

5. Reversing Valve

A reversing valve is the part of a heat pump that lets it switch between heating and cooling modes. It does so by controlling the direction refrigerant flows through the other parts of the system. It’s a key component that differentiates a heat pump from an air conditioner.

In heating mode, the reversing valve sends hot refrigerant leaving the compressor to the indoor coil. In cooling mode, it sends the hot refrigerant to the outdoor coil instead.

If your Clemson, SC, home has a heat pump, you need a professional technician to maintain it. Contact Lovingood Heating Company today to learn about our comprehensive heat pump services.

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