How do heat pumps work?

[allegrif]

Sorry to be ignorant, but I'm a little confused on what exactly these pumps accomplish. Perhaps someone could give me a simplified explanation? That would be fantastic, I'm freshly interested in renewable energy, so I'm very much learning as I'm going.

[JamesH]

I'm not exactly sure so take this with a pinch of salt. I believe heat pumps work in a similar way to refrigerators. I know they basically move heat rather than generate it, but by what process I'm not sure.

[CuriousGeorge]

I'd also be interested to see an easy explanation of this. Perhaps the admin can come and help us out?

[Jemappelle]

Compressed air. The compressed side heats up, the decompressed air cools. No heat is actually being gained, but you're essentially 'stealing' heat from one place, and putting it in another.

[E.Richardson]

Thanks for using our forums.

Loads of information, including info on how heat pumps work can be found here: https://www.renewableenergyhub.co.uk/main/heat-pumps-information/