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Heat Pump Wiring
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By Dave Rongey
Summary: Heat pumps are used for heating and cooling. Wall mounted units are great for offices, sunrooms, room additions, garages and are used in hotel and motel rooms. © By: Dave Rongey |
The Basics about Heat Pumpsand the Electrical Requirements
What is a Heat Pump that is Wall Mounted?
Heat pumps are very similar to cooling-only systems, with one exception. A special valve in the refrigeration system allows the refrigeration cycle to be operated in reverse.
A cooling only system cools the indoor air and discharges heat to the outdoors. A heat pump that is wall mounted can also cool the indoor air, but when the valve is reversed, the indoor air is heated.
A supplementary electric heater may also be used to assist the heat pump at lower outdoor temperatures. In colder climates, heat pumps do require a defrost period, during which the electric heater is the primary source of heating the interior of the building.
Heat Pump Wall Mounted Unit |
What is a PTAC / PTHP Heat Pump? A PTAC ( packaged terminal air conditioner) is a unit that cools and heats. These are heat pumps wall mounted for space saving and convenience. A PTAC provides warm air using an electric heater (heat strip). A PTHP ( packaged terminal heat pump) uses its compressor all year round to either heat or cool. In warm weather, they efficiently capture heat from inside the building and pump it outside for cooling. How a Heat Pump Wall Mounted Works In cool weather, they capture heat from outdoor air and pump it into the building, adding heat from electric heat strips as necessary, in order to efficiently provide heat. |
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When the external temperature is 38 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, a PTHP unit switches to heat strip operation in order to provide heat. PTHP units are similar to a high quality version of the window-mounted air conditioner with the heat pump accessories added.
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