To help the customer better understand the profitability of combining a heat pump with photovoltaics, it is worth presenting the process of how these devices work. A heat pump is a heating system that, unlike traditional systems, does not generate its own energy. It does not need to burn fuel (e.g., coal or pellets) to heat a room. The energy that allows it to operate is drawn from water, earth, or air. The pump uses outside air, which, thanks to the refrigerant and proper compression, generates usable heat. This can be used to heat the building and domestic hot water.
The same mechanism used in the operation of refrigerators is utilized in the operation of heat pumps – such a comparison will help the customer better understand how the device works. The main components of a heat pump include:
• compressor,
• condenser,
• expansion valve,
• evaporator.
For its operation, a heat pump also needs a refrigerant. It is a liquid that circulates inside the system, and by boiling under low pressure, it absorbs heat from outside the building. Then the temperature and pressure in the system increase, and thanks to the compressor, the liquid turns into a gas. It then goes to the condenser, where it releases heat to the installation. Subsequently, the liquid refrigerant passes through the expansion valve. There, the pressure and temperature drop, and the cycle starts again.
However, electricity is needed for the heat pump to work. Without it, energy cannot be transported from the earth, air, or water. Customers interested in purchasing may be concerned that a heat pump will not be cost-effective without connecting it to photovoltaic panels. It is worth dispelling their doubts and explaining the entire process in detail.
