Innovations in Heat Pump Technology: What’s Next?

With most of the home and building heating accomplished with fossil fuels such as natural gas and heating oil, innovations in this sector are necessary to reduce its carbon footprint enough to help meet climate targets. Thankfully, scientists from around the world have been working hard to figure out how to optimize electric heating options such as heat pumps to replace gas boilers and other carbon-based heating options.

Potential for Heat Pumps in the Future

Phil from heat pump training company Gastec Training said “Heat pumps may very well be the answer that everyone is looking for. Due to exciting innovations in heat pump technology, there is a good chance that heat pumps can make a sizeable and noticeable impact on the world’s carbon footprint.” In fact, if leveraged to its maximum potential, heat pumps could effectively reduce global carbon emissions by 500 million tonnes. That is the equivalent of permanently turning off all the cars in Europe today. An impressive feat for a relatively small pump.

Heat Pump Innovations 

Technological innovations in the past decade have made heat pumps a viable optionfor many buildings in the UK. With energy prices on the rise, additional efficiency and optimization methods are a welcome addition to any heating system. What innovations have impacted the heat pumps of today?

Radically Energy-Efficient Operation

Heat pumps operate and up to 300-400% efficiency, which means that they can produce 3-4 units of heat for every unit of electricity that it consumes. This is radically efficient and gives heat pumps the potential to heat almost any building, anywhere on the planet.

Recaptured Excess Heat from the Heat Pump

Scientists have recently discovered a method in which the excess heat produced by the heat pump is recaptured with a small tank and redistributed into the pump’s operations later. This can substantially reduce the power consumption of the tank, making it even more efficient.

Redesigned Heat Exchangers 

Newly designed heat exchangers are better equipped to transfer heat from the air into the refrigerant, moving heat around more effectively, resulting in a more efficient heat transfer while producing a reduction in energy use.

Bigger and Better Compressors

Updates in compressor technology allow for the pressurization of the coolants to happen more quickly and to higher pressures while using less power. This helps to compound the energy savings and efficiency of heat pumps.

More Versatile Coolants

The original coolants used in heat pumps have been exchanged with less volatile and more versatile coolants, providing a double benefit. Not only are they less harmful to the environment, but they are also far better at absorbing heat at lower temperatures, making them more effective in colder climates and in cold weather.

Different Types of Heat Pumps

Heat pump installation is an important part of transitioning to this rapidly changing technology and for many, the air-source heat pump would be the easiest and most likely choice for their home or building. These pumps take heat from the air and move it around to other rooms with the help of compressed coolants and fans. Ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps work similarly except they take the heat from below ground as opposed to the air.

Either pump can provide an adequate heating supply to almost any building while reducing its draw on the local energy system. The end-result for consumers is an efficient and effective heating system that works regardless of the climate or exterior temperature.

The Future of Heat Pumps: Critical Innovations for a Critical Technology 

The adoption of heat pumps is a critical part of the decarbonization process worldwide. With every new innovation, the heat pump becomes a more viable and exciting option for residential, commercial and industrial consumers around the globe.