Collector: environmental energy is absorbed from the environment (earth, water or air) by a collector (e.g. geothermal collector, well, air fan) and transported to the heat pump by means of a liquid working medium.
Evaporator: in the evaporator, the working medium (e.g. brine liquid) ensures that a refrigerant evaporates. The decisive factor here is that the physical boiling point of the refrigerant is so low that it can evaporate under the influence of the working fluid that has been slightly heated by the environment.
Compressor (or compressor): a compressor compresses the refrigerant. As the pressure increases, the temperature also rises. The compressor is usually driven by electric current. However, larger plants are increasingly being powered by combustion engines (e.g. gas-powered heat pumps).
Condenser (or condenser): in the condenser, the heated working medium condenses when the heating water is heated. It therefore transfers its energy to the system for heating buildings or heating drinking water.
Expansion valve: the refrigerant still flows under pressure through the expansion valve, allowing it to expand and cool down. In its liquid state, it now enters the evaporator again, and the cycle begins again.
Since there is no combustion in a heat pump, the following advantages result compared to other types of heating:
Source: bauwion
