Gas-fired heat pumps work by combining heat extracted from the outside air with additional heat generated by burning natural gas to efficiently warm your home.
Unlike traditional air-source heat pumps that only move heat from the outside air indoors, gas-fired heat pumps utilize a hybrid approach. They capture existing warmth from the ambient air and supplement it with heat produced by natural gas combustion. This allows them to potentially operate more effectively in colder climates compared to standard air-source models, which can lose efficiency as outdoor temperatures drop.
The process involves a refrigerant fluid circulating in a closed loop, much like conventional heat pumps. However, in a gas-fired system, this fluid absorbs heat from two sources before transferring it inside.
The Heating Process Explained
Here's a breakdown of how a gas-fired heat pump operates to heat your home, incorporating the key steps:
- Air Intake and Initial Heat Extraction: Fans within the unit pull warmth out of the outside air, which acts as the "source". Even on seemingly cold days, there is thermal energy in the air that can be captured. This captured heat is absorbed by the refrigerant circulating in an outdoor coil.
- Combining Heat Sources: This is where the gas-fired heat pump differs significantly. Heat from natural gas combustion is added to the ambient heat already captured from the air. Both the heat from the air and the heat from a gas burner are transferred to the refrigerant within the system. This process "boosts" the temperature of the refrigerant far higher than air-source heat pumps can achieve using air heat alone, especially in cold conditions.
- Heat Transfer and Distribution: The now significantly heated refrigerant circulates to an indoor coil. Here, the heat is released from the refrigerant and used to warm the air circulating through your home's ductwork. This heated air is then pumped into the home via vents, providing comfort.
Essentially, the natural gas burner acts as a booster heater, significantly increasing the amount of heat available to the refrigerant, making the system highly effective.
Process Summary Table
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Air Heat Capture | Fans pull warmth from the outdoor air, transferring it to the refrigerant. |
| 2. Gas Heat Addition | Heat from burning natural gas is added to the air heat, boosting the refrigerant temperature. |
| 3. Heat Distribution | The boosted heat is transferred from the refrigerant to indoor air, which is then circulated. |
By combining the heat-moving efficiency of a heat pump with the powerful heat generation of natural gas, these systems offer an energy-efficient way to heat buildings, potentially reducing reliance solely on electric resistance heating or standard gas furnaces.
