This section provides an overview for heat pumps as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at
the list of 29 heat pump manufacturers
and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked heat pump companies as of May, 2024: 1.Guangdong New Energy Technology Development Co., Ltd., 2.The Whalen Company, 3.Daikin Applied.
Click here to get more.
Postdoctoral researcher, conducting research on the production of cathode composite particles for solid-state batteries in the Equipment Engineering Group of Osaka Prefecture University. Belongs to the Resource and Energy Recycling Laboratory, Nagaoka University of Technology, and conducts research on the development of DDR-type zeolite membranes for CO2 separation and the capture of CO2 from digestion gas generated from sewage treatment plants. https://researchmap.jp/eiji-hayakawa Thesis https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11080623 http://www.ijcea.org/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=show&catid=109&id=1177 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1387181119305529?via%3Dihub https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S138358661833154X?via%3Dihub
A heat pump is a technology that transfers heat in air or liquid from a lower temperature to a higher temperature. Heat pumps are used in air conditioners, refrigerators, and eco-cutes, which are indispensable in our daily lives.
Although heat pumps consume electricity to transfer heat, they are expected to be highly energy efficient because they generate more heat energy than they consume. In addition, compared to gas or oil combustion methods, CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced, making heat pumps an environmentally friendly technology that is also attracting attention.
Uses of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps used to be mainly used in refrigerators and air conditioners for cooling things. However, advances in technology have expanded the range of applications from low to high temperatures, and heat pumps are now used in a variety of fields, including heating and hot water supply.
In the home, they are used in home appliances essential to daily life, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and washers/dryers, as well as in energy-efficient equipment such as eco-cutes and floor heating systems. They are also used in commercial air conditioners and water heaters in facilities with many users, such as offices and hospitals, and are expected to reduce utility costs significantly.
Principle of Heat Pumps
When a gas is compressed, its temperature rises; conversely, when it is expanded, its temperature falls. Heat pumps utilize this property to transfer heat. Refrigerants such as chlorofluorocarbons, which transfer heat, can effectively transfer heat by repeatedly liquefying and vaporizing through compression and expansion at temperatures close to room temperature.
The structure of a heat pump consists of a compressor, an expansion valve, two heat exchangers called an evaporator, a condenser, and piping that connects them.
Refrigerant is a medium that transfers thermal energy. CFC gas is mainly used, which repeatedly evaporates and condenses depending on pressure and temperature, changing into gas or liquid.
An expansion valve is a device that rapidly expands the high-temperature, high-pressure CFC gas to a warm, low-pressure state and then turns it into a liquid again.
A compressor is a device that compresses CFC gas to high temperatures and high pressure. Centrifugal compressors and reciprocating compressors are available.
Heat exchangers are divided into two types based on their role: evaporators and condensers. The evaporator absorbs heat from the outside and converts the CFC gas into a gas, while the condenser converts the gas into a liquid and releases the heat to the outside.
The refrigerant absorbs heat in the evaporator, converts it to gas, and is absorbed by the compressor. The gas, compressed to a high temperature and pressure, is sent to the condenser to become a liquid. It is then converted to a low temperature and pressure by an expansion valve and returned to the evaporator. Heat pumps transfer heat from the low-temperature to the high-temperature part of the air by repeating these cycles.
Types of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are classified according to the principle of heat transfer as follows:
Heat Pumps that use heat generation and heat absorption of refrigerant
Vapor compression heat pumps, absorption heat pumps, and adsorption heat pumps use the heat of vaporization and condensation generated when the refrigerant vaporizes. Heat pumps that utilize the heat of vaporization of ammonia are mainly used in refrigerators and freezers.
Heat Pumps utilizing heat other than air heat
Geothermal, water-source, and solar heat are used in heat pumps. In all cases, the heat source must be nearby, but the heat can be propagated more efficiently than air heat.
Heat Pump using lattice vibration
This heat pump uses semiconductors. By passing an electric current through a thermoelectric element, lattice motion is generated in the element. This lattice motion enables heat transfer and fine temperature control. For this reason, they are mainly used in medical devices and experimental equipment that require precise temperature control. However, the high performance of this heat pump makes it an expensive heat pump.
Other Heat Pumps
Recently, heat pumps that utilize both thermoelectricity and vaporization heat have appeared. As you can see, new heat pump technologies are being developed every year, making it possible to capture and store heat more efficiently.
Performance Indicators for Heat Pumps
The performance of a heat pump is expressed as the ratio of the cooling or heating capacity (kW) it can produce to the power consumption (kW). This is called the energy consumption efficiency COP (Coefficient Of Performance). The higher this value is, the more energy-saving effects can be expected. In air conditioners in particular, COP is used as an indicator of the energy-saving capability of air conditioners as cooling COP and heating COP.
However, COP indicates energy consumption efficiency under a certain temperature environment, and when air conditioners are used, performance varies depending on the room and outside temperature. Therefore, APF (Annual Performance Factor) is now the mainstream energy-saving standard, and unlike COP, APF is defined as an indicator of energy saving instead of COP in the "Energy Conservation Law" revised in September 2006. Unlike COP, APF indicates the operating efficiency after one year of operation. Therefore, it can be said that APF shows an operating efficiency closer to actual operation.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Heat Pumps
The following are the merits and demerits of heat pumps, a technology that efficiently collects heat from the outside and uses it as a large heat source.
Advantages
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Saves Electricity
By gathering heat from the outside, there is no need to create new heat, so electronic devices equipped with heat pumps have relatively low electricity bills.
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High Safety
Since no combustion is involved in the generation of heat, it is safer.
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Reduced Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Since there is no combustion process, carbon dioxide emissions are relatively low.
Disadvantages
Effective Use of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are excellent for energy and cost savings because they can produce cooling and heating capacities that exceed their power consumption, but they have the disadvantage of being easily affected by the external environment. However, heat pumps can extract large amounts of energy from small temperature differences. More energy savings can be expected by using them more effectively.
In a heat pump, one side is heated and the other side is cooled by heat transfer. Normally, either one or the other is used, but if a system that can use both heating and cooling at the same time is constructed, it is possible to create a greater energy-saving effect.
Another effective way to use heat pumps is to use underground heat as a heat source. Compared to the outside air, the temperature of underground heat changes little throughout the year, so the temperature of the ground and groundwater is cooler in summer and warmer in winter. By using this method, unused underground heat can be effectively utilized and CO2 emissions can be greatly reduced.
In addition, the greatest feature of heat pumps is that they can maximize the use of thermal energy that is difficult to use as it is, such as exhaust heat from factories and hot spring water.
For Immediate Release: October 10, 2023
SACRAMENTO — Today, 10 of the world’s largest manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of building heating and cooling equipment signed an agreement committing to actions aimed at achieving California’s goal to have six million electric heat pumps installed by 2030.
The announcement took place at a two-day summit hosted by the California Energy Commission (CEC) and EPRI. The event brought government leaders together with industry, academic, community partners and others to explore affordable, reliable, and equitable pathways to electrifying buildings — a key part of California’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century.
The manufacturers signing on include A. O. Smith Corporation, Carrier, Daikin, Fujitsu, Johnson Controls, Lennox International, LG Electronics, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US, Rheem Manufacturing Company, and Trane Technologies.
As part of the commitment, they agreed to:
- Create the manufacturing capacity to help achieve the state’s goal of installing six million heat pumps by 2030.
- Ensure heat pumps are good citizens of the electric grid by enhancing efficiency and incorporating load flexibility.
- Collaborate with the CEC to develop a public-private partnership to facilitate policy and market support to bring heat pumps into the mainstream.
“I applaud the vision and dedication of the 10 manufacturers who are stepping up to strengthen California’s ability to deliver on our goal to install six million heat pumps,” said CEC Commissioner J. Andrew McAllister, who is the lead commissioner on energy efficiency. “Partnerships with industry are critical in aligning policy and reality. This new commitment will ensure grid-friendly heat pumps are widely available and help consumers understand why they’re the better choice for both comfort and the climate
Left to right: CEC Commissioner Andrew McAllister, John J. Hurst (Lennox), Joshua C. Greene (A. O. Smith), Jason Thomas (Carrier), David Calabrese (Daikin), Mark Lessans (Johnson Controls), Chris Ahn (LG Electronics), Chris Day (Rheem), CEC Chair David Hochschild.
The pledge builds on policies and programs underway at the CEC, California Air Resources Board, California Public Utilities Commission, and Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. The activities are supported by the California Climate Commitment and Federal Inflation Reduction Act, which combined will provide $1.5 billion for efforts to reduce emissions from buildings.
About Heat Pumps
- Heat pumps are a highly efficient electric technology for water and space heating that produce fewer emissions than traditional HVACs and water heaters.
- The 2022 Energy Code established heat pumps as the standard for new single-family homes.
- More than 1.5 million are currently installed throughout California.
- Current California market share for new single-family homes is 55 percent for heat pump space heaters and 16 percent for heat pump water heaters.
For information about rebates and loans for homeowners and renters, contractors, or local governments, visit the CEC’s Building and Home Energy Resource Hub.
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About the California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is leading the state to a 100 percent clean energy future. It has seven core responsibilities: developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, increasing energy efficiency, investing in energy innovation, advancing state energy policy, certifying thermal power plants, and preparing for energy emergencies.
About A. O. Smith Corporation
A. O. Smith Corporation, with global headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin since 1874, applies technology and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide with operations in the U.S., Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the UK. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AOS), the company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a leading manufacturer of water treatment and air purification products. Along with its wholly owned subsidiaries, A. O. Smith is the largest manufacturer and seller of residential and commercial water heating equipment, high efficiency residential and commercial boilers, and pool heaters in North America. For more information, visit www.aosmith.com.
About Carrier
Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier is a world leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy-efficient products, building controls and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and food service customers. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions that matter for people and our planet for generations to come. For more information, visit carrier.com or follow @Carrier on Twitter.
About Daikin
Daikin is a proud global HVAC&R leader, with more than 22,000 talented employees driving innovation in the U.S. – its biggest global market. As trailblazers in sustainability technology, we take on the profound responsibility of spearheading the journey toward global decarbonization and electrification. Our commitment to this cause is unwavering, underpinned by our cutting-edge core technologies. For example, our inverter technology (efficiently controlling motor speeds to eliminate wasted energy in HVAC systems), which drives our variable-capacity heat pumps use a small amount of electric power to transport heat energy that’s in the air for heating and cooling and can operate at temperatures as low as -20F. For more information, please visit www.northamerica-daikin.com/.
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu General America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Fujitsu General Limited headquartered in Kawasaki, Japan. As a manufacturer of mini-splits and VRF systems, Fujitsu General America is a provider of heating and cooling solutions for every application, backed by the finest service, support, training, and programs for the United States and Canada. Fujitsu’s line of high-efficiency, eco-friendly systems have been designed to provide advanced comfort solutions for residential and commercial applications. Visit www.fujitsugeneral.com for more information.
About Johnson Controls
At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering. Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry. Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms.
About Lennox
Lennox is a leader in energy-efficient climate-control solutions. Dedicated to sustainability and creating comfortable and healthier environments for our residential and commercial customers while reducing their carbon footprint, we lead the field in innovation with our cooling, heating, indoor air quality, and refrigeration systems. For more information, visit www.lennox.com.
About LG Electronics
LG Electronics USA Inc., the North American subsidiary of global tech giant LG Electronics, is committed to enabling the electrification of America through “Innovation for a Better Life,” epitomized by all-electric heat-pump HVAC systems, heat pump water heaters, heat pump clothes dryers, smart efficient appliances, induction cooktops and ranges, energy storage systems, EV chargers and more. To help accelerate market transformation, LG is expanding U.S. manufacturing for key product categories. For more information, visit www.LG.com.
About Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS) is a leading provider of ductless and VRF systems in the United States and Latin America. As a 50/50 joint venture between Trane Technologies and Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., the company provides innovative products, systems and solutions capable of cooling and heating any application from a home to a large commercial building. For more information, visit www.mehvac.com.
About Rheem Manufacturing Company
Rheem is an industry leader in total heating, cooling, refrigeration and water heating solutions and one of the few global brands with product offerings covering residential and commercial heating, cooling, conventional and hybrid storage water heaters, tankless water heaters, solar water heating systems, pool and spa heaters, commercial boilers, residential hydronic and geothermal systems, commercial refrigeration products, and indoor air quality products. Rheem is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with U.S. based manufacturing facilities in Oxnard, California as well as in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, and North Carolina. For more information, visit www.rheem.com.
About Trane Technologies
Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes, and transportation. For more information, visit www.tranetechnologies.com.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Air Source Heat Pump Manufacturer.
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