EnergyAE / Knowledge Base

Heat Pump Technology

Foundational training on how heat pump water heaters work — thermodynamic cycle, system types, components, and refrigerants.

This section covers the core technology behind heat pump water heaters (HPWHs). It is intended as a foundation for new staff before working on modelling or scheme applications.

Contents

PageDescription
01Vapour Compression CycleHow the refrigerant cycle converts ambient heat to usable hot water
02Heat Pump TerminologyKey terms and component definitions
03Heat Pump TypesIntegral vs separate HPWH configurations
04CompressorsFixed vs variable speed compressors and their impact on performance
05RefrigerantsCommon refrigerants used in HPWHs — CO₂, propane, and critical states
06Thermal StratificationHow temperature layering in storage tanks affects system performance
07GlossaryDefinitions of terms used across EnergyAE’s work