Heat Pumps: The Refrigerator in Reverse
Heat pumps extract thermal energy from the environment and use it to heat buildings, making them among the most efficient heating technologies available. Combined with photovoltaics, they form the ideal partnership for low-carbon heating.
The Complete Guide
Everything about heat pumps in one article: how they work, types, costs, grants and sizing – the ideal introduction to the topic.
Read the Guide →Fundamentals
The refrigerator in reverse: the operating principle step by step – from evaporator to condenser.
Read: The Anti-Refrigerator: How Does a Heat Pump Work? →
Heat exchanger, compressor and expansion valve – the key components in detail.
Read: The Components: Heat Exchanger, Compressor and Expansion Valve →Key Figures and Sizing
COP, SPF, bivalence point – the essential metrics for planning and evaluation.
Read: Heat Pump Key Figures and Sizing →
The seasonal coefficient of performance according to DIN EN 14825 – how to properly evaluate heat pump efficiency.
Read: SCOP Explained: How to Evaluate Heat Pump Efficiency →
From heat load to the right heat pump size – step-by-step with practical examples.
Read: Heat Pump Sizing: From Heat Load to the Right Capacity →Operation & Optimization
A heat pump can operate alone or alongside other heat generators – an overview of operating modes.
Read: Operating Modes: Monovalent, Bivalent and Hybrid →
Heating curve, hydraulic balancing, room thermostats – how to get 15–25% more efficiency from your heat pump.
Read: Heat Pump Settings: The Practical Guide →Types and Solar Integration
Air-to-water, ground source, water-to-water – and their optimal combination with photovoltaics.
Read: Heat Pump Types and the Dream Team with Solar Systems →Costs & Subsidies
Complete cost overview: purchase, installation, operation and subsidies up to 70% – with 20-year comparison.
Read: Heat Pump Costs 2026: Purchase, Installation and Operation →Heat Pump Types at a Glance
| Type | Heat Source | COP | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air-to-Water | Outdoor air | 3–4 | Affordable, straightforward installation |
| Ground Source | Ground | 4–5 | Consistently high efficiency |
| Water-to-Water | Groundwater | 5–6 | Highest efficiency |