Next-generation heat pump in development
UofG researchers have developed a flexible heat pump technology that solves many of the problems with the current generation of heat pumps that can be impacted by cold weather. They have developed a low-cost solution to the problems of current heat pumps by integrating heat storage – a small water tank and a coil of copper tube. The water tank recovers some excess thermal energy produced during the pump’s operation, and stores it as an additional heat source for the heat pump’s operation later.
Zhibin Yu, Professor of Thermal Energy led the research: “The cost of a small water tank heat storage is marginal, but the power saving is significant. It can be widely applied for all kinds of the heat pump applications. We believe that this could help drive improved takeup of heat pump technology in homes across the UK.”
