How a Heat Pump Works | This Old House

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Published 2019-10-05
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey instructs Kevin O’Connor on the basic principles of how a heat pump works.

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The heart of the heating and cooling system will be a heat pump. This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey uses a mock up and props to show host Kevin O’Connor the mechanics of the latest state of the art heating and cooling system. Heat pumps have compressors, valves, and fans that regulate speed and opening so a system can evenly maintain itself and keep temperatures steady to the exact degree.

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How a Heat Pump Works
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All Comments (21)
  • @bryanc531
    I have been in the hvac field for about 15 years and this is by far the best way that I have heard the refrigeration cycle explained. Richard you are awesome
  • I just graduated USF with a degree in mechanical engineering. Should have watched this before my first Thermo class. Good stuff.
  • @TheSpoonyluvin
    Richard really has a talent for teaching. You can tell that he enjoys explaining it, and also understands the concept so well that he can easily dumb it down for the rest of us.
  • @michaelm7874
    I’m in HVAC field myself for ten years and this guy explains it better than I’ve ever heard it explained
  • @TheDataMaestro
    I might have to watch this a dozen times before it sinks in.
  • @sceneryj
    I’m studying 1st year engineering and you’ve just done a better job of explaining half of the thermodynamics I need to know this semester than the (very expensive) textbook. Thank you!
  • @A_J502
    This Old House for the win!
    In all my years as an engineering student, this is THE BEST demonstration of heating, cooling, and basic gas law I’ve ever seen!
  • I’ve worked automotive air conditioning all my life,but this heat pump system was somewhat complicated….until now.Thanks to you Richard,all it takes is a switching valve and some electronics.Now I can even explain it to someone else.You get the credit of course.
  • @SLCKaled
    No fancy animations. Just pure old school wisdom!! LOVED THE EXPLANATION. Makes me realize how much real life examples like the canned air are so powerfully effective
  • @bertblue9683
    A great explanation for anyone, especially for guys like me that grew up being told how awful heat pumps are. It's a hard reputation to overcome.
  • @RayR
    The best explanation of a heat pump I've ever seen. Great job Richard. Your a great teacher.
  • @mulimotola44
    I've been trying to understand this theory FOR YEARS! Finally a great explanation that anyone can understand! I love the examples that explain the compressor and the expansion valve with the can. Thank you so much! This is the best video on the subject by far!
  • @bgk93
    I have seen many videos of how an air conditioner works, but this is the best explanation I have ever seen. Now it totally makes sense
  • @ml9633
    You are amazing. I'm 64 and never understood this process, because nobody could ever explain it to me so well. Thank you so much :) Maurice
  • This is something we take for granted daily. This process is insane! Human being invented this? Mind blowing
  • Like listening to a good teacher, concisely and clearly explains thermodynamics with no-nonsense. Thank you
  • @kwpowell0412
    Great job Richard!! I just want to echo what a few other people have said. I have never been able to wrap my head around how a heat pump & Air conditioner work. And here in South Carolina....EVERYBODY has one. What made things so clear for me was not only did you break it down explaining it. You also had the visuals that everyone could see. Outstanding sir......you da man!
  • @snowy800123
    I never heard of a heat pump until we had a warm summer and I was looking for a cooling solution. I got a pump installed which solved the heat. Then, come winter, my power bill was $260 versus $400 for comparable size houses running on baseboard heaters. This thing pays for itself no time here in Canada.
  • @tinysand3517
    love the fact that Richard always dissect his mock ups. Make it simple to understand. Great job
  • @JesusJuenger
    I really enjoy Richard's cutaway models, they really clearly explain plumbing parts that I would never understand otherwise!