What Are the 4 Key Components of a Heat Pump and How They Work

When you look at an air source heat pump, have you ever wondered which heat pump parts actually make it work?

Air source heat pumps rely on the orderly operation of four key components: compressors, condensers, expansion valves, and evaporators.

These components regulate the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in an orderly manner, transferring heat from one place to another in the process. This creates a continuous cycle, which is the working cycle of a heat pump.

Understanding how these core components work can help you select the right model and better understand why SolarEast air source heat pumps can maintain efficient operation in harsh environments.

Compressor

The compressor is the most important component of a heat pump and is often referred to as its “heart” because it drives the refrigerant cycle. Without it, the heat pump will have no power to run.

Working process

The compressor in a heat pump converts the refrigerant from a“low-temperature, low-pressure gas” into a“high-temperature, high-pressure gas”. The refrigerant is then pushed into the condenser to release heat.

Condenser

The condenser acts as a heat exchanger in the heat pump component, responsible for transferring heat to the terminal. That’s why you feel cosy air and warm water filling your home.

Working process

After entering the condenser, the refrigerant is converted from a “low-temperature, low-pressure gas” to a“medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid” releasing heat to the surrounding air or water in the process.

· Red arrow: The refrigerant flows from the compressor to the condenser as a high-temperature, high-pressure gas.

· Condenser: The refrigerant releases heat into the water tank through a heat exchanger.

· Pink arrow: The refrigerant becomes a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid and flows through the expansion valve.

But before the refrigerant can soak up heat again, it has to pass through the expansion valve.

There are several types of condensers, including plate heat exchangers, copper tube heat exchangers, microchannel heat exchangers, titanium heat exchangers, and shell and tube exchangers. Among them, copper tube heat exchangers and microchannel heat exchangers can be produced in-house at Solareast. Would you like to know the difference between copper tube heat exchangers and microchannel heat exchangers?

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Throttling

The throttling device plays the role of a faucet in the heat pump, determining how and at what speed the refrigerant flows from the high-pressure zone to the low-pressure zone.

Working process

After entering the throttling in the heat pump, the refrigerant is converted from a “medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid” to a“low-temperature, low-pressure liquid”; this process provides conditions for the evaporator to absorb heat.

· Pink arrow: The refrigerant flows from the condenser to the throttle as a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid.

· Throttling: During throttling, both pressure and temperature decrease, and the refrigerant does not exchange heat with the outside.

· Blue arrow: The refrigerant becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid and flows through the evaporator.

After passing through the throttle valve, the refrigerant is ready to enter the evaporator and begin absorbing heat from the surrounding air.

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Evaporator

The evaporator acts as a “bridge” that absorbs heat from the outside. It is the bridge that completes the transition of the refrigerant from a liquid to a gaseous state. That’s why your heat pump can still draw heat from the air, even on a chilly winter’s day.

Working process

After entering the evaporator, the refrigerant is converted from a “low-temperature, low-pressure liquid” to a“low-temperature, low-pressure gas”.This process ensures that no liquid droplets enter the compressor, preventing liquid hammering inside the compressor.

· Blue arrow: The refrigerant flows from the throttling to the evaporator as a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid.

· Evaporator: It absorbs heat from the outside, and the refrigerant gradually vaporizes.

· Red arrow: The refrigerant becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas and flows through the compressor.

With an understanding of these four key components, this blog is undoubtedly a very practical guide. At this point, if you are a user, you know to check whether the product uses parts from well-known brands. If you are looking for a heat pump factory, you should check whether the factory works with reliable suppliers.

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SolarEast designs and manufactures heat pumps that are unique to you. We help your brand take the lead in the market. SolarEast are equipped with high-quality compressors, condensers, expansion valves, and evaporators. Solareast heat pump factory has its own condenser and evaporator production lines, ensuring quality and reducing unnecessary damage to parts during transportation.

Through our OEM/ODM services, we help you provide reliable heating and cooling solutions to the market. If you are looking for a reliable partner, we can provide free.

If you want to go deeper into the heat pump basics. You can also check related guides, such as "How Does a Heat Pump Work?" And what are the disadvantages of a heat pump? to continue learning.