Did you know that heat pumps are becoming more and more popular in the UK? Figures from the HPA say there were 100,000 sales in 2024, up from 60,000 the previous year. The Government is aiming to improve this even more, getting more people to make the switch. However, there are some crucial challenges, including awareness and the cost. We want to have a closer look at the most important thing here; the refrigerant cycle and how systems provide heating. Then, if you need ERW tube for applications, you can rely on us.
A classic boiler system is really easy to understand. You burn some form of fuel or use electricity to heat water. You can then send it around a property to supply radiators and taps. A heat pump is different because it absorbs heat from the air, water, or ground outside a property. As these sources are renewable and sustainable, and don’t involve burning resources, the systems are far better for the environment.
Four stages
The first stage here is evaporation. The pump takes heat from the sources and sends it to a heat exchanger (evaporator). This key piece of equipment uses the energy to heat a liquid refrigerant, creating a gas.
Next, in stage two, a compressor works to compress the refrigerant gas. This process massively increases the temperature. The most crucial thing to keep in mind here is you need a small amount of electricity for the compression. However, if it comes from renewable sources like wind or solar, the heat pump system is 100% renewable.
Stage three involves sending the hot gas through a second heat exchanger, known as a condenser. This releases the heat, therefore turning the gas back into a liquid. You can now use an air or water based system to heat the property. ERW tube can be useful here for networks to feed radiators. Some systems also have an indoor hot water tank to save resources for later use.
The final stage in the process is to send the liquid refrigerant through an expansion valve. This is crucial because it reduces the pressure. You can then send it safely back to the evaporator so the process can begin again. It means you don’t need to constantly add more refrigerant to the system.
When you think about it, heat pumps are also quite a simple system, just with more stages than a boiler. However, the sustainability and potential to be net zero carbon is fantastic. That is why they are so popular in Europe, and why the Government is encouraging more people to use them in the UK.
Do you need ERW tube?
Union Steel Tubes provides high quality products suitable for a variety of applications. Notably, we can deliver cost effective tubing for carrying different media, including water, gas, and refrigerant. The high quality and excellent prices make them a really great choice.
So, if you need ERW tube for any project, please contact us. We’d be happy to help you choose products, including the right shape, size, and finish.
