What is a Heat Pump?

It does just what it suggests, it pumps heat, taking energy from a (relatively) low temperature source and forces that heat to a higher temperature making it more useful. It is analogous to a water pump which raises water from low level to a higher level, a heat pump does the same – but with heat!

Even ice still has some heat energy, in fact energy is always present until the value of ‘absolute zero’ is reached some -273.16°C, which is why the Kelvin scale has its start point at absolute zero (and hence freezing point is +273.16 Kelvin).

We should all be familiar with a heat pump since we most likely have one at home! A domestic refrigerator (or even freezer) is a heat pump – it pumps heat out of the device, thus cooling the inside.

For more information about work undertaken by the Association,
please email info@heatpumps.org.uk or call us on 0118 940 3416


0118 940 3416

0118 940 6258


2 Waltham Court, Milley Lane,
Hare Hatch, Reading RG10 9TH


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