Definition of heat pump Heat pump
We found 4 definitions of heat pump from 4 different sources.
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What does heat pump mean?
WordNet
Noun |
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| heat pump - apparatus that extracts heat from a liquid that is at a higher temperature than its surroundings; can be used to transfer heat from a reservoir outside in order to heat a building |
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Wiktionary 
OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω
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heat pump
A device which transfers heat from a cooler reservoir to a hotter one, expending mechanical energy in the process.
Wikipedia 
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A heat pump is a machine that moves heat from one place to another.
Examples.
A refrigerator is a heat pump.
It moves heat from the inside to the outside.
This keeps the food inside cold, so it won't spoil.
An air conditioner is a heat pump.
It moves heat from the inside of a building to the outside.
A Peltier device is a heat pump.
It moves heat from one side to the other by means of an electric current.
Some buildings are heated with heat pumps, also.
In the winter, the heat pump moves heat from the outside to the inside. Sometimes this works better than heating with a radiator.
How it works.
Usually, heat flows from a hot place to a cold place, according to the second law of thermodynamics.
Heat will not move from a cold place to a warmer place by itself.
Because of this, a heat pump must use extra energy to move the heat.
This is sort of like pumping water uphill.
Most heat pumps use electric motors to provide energy.
Some heat pumps use heat energy, supplied by a flame or an electric heater.
Most heat pumps use a refrigeration cycle.
A refrigeration cycle uses a fluid which moves through tubes and carries the heat.
The fluid is called a refrigerant.
During the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas and back to a liquid.
When the refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas, it gains (absorbs) heat energy.
This is just like boiling.
When the refrigerant changes from a gas back to a liquid, it loses heat energy.
The heat pump is set up so that th
