![]() ![]() This warmth can then be harnessed to heat and cool homes, as well as generate electricity. Geothermal energy: A great example of a renewable resource, geothermal energy comes from the decay of natural minerals and the volcanic action of the earth.That motion is why thermal energy is considered an example of kinetic energy, even if you may not be able to see that motion with the naked eye. ![]() The difference is that while radiant energy refers to waves or particles, thermal energy describes the level of activity among the atoms and molecules in an object.Īs they move more quickly, they collide more frequently with one another. Thermal energy is similar to radiant energy in that both can be experienced in the form of heat or warmth. Sunshine: Have you ever stood outside on a warm, sunny day? Did you notice that it is hotter out in the sun than it is in the shade? That's because you're experiencing radiant energy from the sun's rays!.That's how radio stations are able to transmit their programming across vast distances. Radio signals: Similar to x-rays, radio waves also travel in the form of waves.Electric toaster: As the heating elements inside the toaster get warmer, they emit radiant energy that heats and toasts the bread.X-rays: Just as visible light travels in waves, so do electromagnetic waves beyond the visible spectrum.Both of those are forms of radiant energy. There is the visible light that you see, as well as the warmth that it generates. ![]() Incandescent light bulb: When you turn on a light with a traditional incandescent light bulb, it gives off two forms of energy.The energy is created through electromagnetic waves and is most commonly experienced by humans in the form of heat. ![]() To that end, DOE launched the Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge in 2001 to accelerate deployment of cold climate heat pump technologies.Radiant energy is a type of kinetic energy, referring to energy that travels by waves or particles. Department of Energy (DOE) is still researching ways to make heat pumps more affordable and efficient. Actual energy savings depend on the relative costs of the combustion fuel relative to electricity.Įven with the impressive performance of heat pumps, the U.S. In comparison with a combustion fuel-fired furnace or standard heat pump alone, this type of system can also be more economical. According to some reports, heat pumps with scroll compressors provide 10° to 15☏ (5.6° to 8.3☌) warmer air when in the heating mode, compared to existing heat pumps with piston compressors.Īlthough most heat pumps use electric resistance heaters as a backup for cold weather, heat pumps can also be equipped in combination with a gas furnace, sometimes referred to as a dual-fuel or hybrid system, to supplement the heat pump. This helps solve the problem of the heat pump operating less efficiently at low temperatures and reduces its use of electricity. There are few heat pump manufacturers that incorporate both types of heat in one box, so these configurations are often two smaller, side-by-side, standard systems sharing the same ductwork. Compared to the typical piston compressors, scroll compressors have a longer operating life and are quieter. One remains stationary, while the other orbits around it, compressing the refrigerant by forcing it into increasingly smaller areas. A desuperheater-equipped heat pump can heat water 2 to 3 times more efficiently than an ordinary electric water heater.Īnother advance in heat pump technology is the scroll compressor, which consists of two spiral-shaped scrolls. Some high-efficiency heat pumps are equipped with a desuperheater, which recovers waste heat from the heat pump's cooling mode and uses it to heat water. It also minimizes the noise from the blower running at full speed. The variable-speed controls for these fans attempt to keep the air moving at a comfortable velocity, minimizing cool drafts and maximizing electrical savings. Some models of heat pumps are equipped with variable-speed or dual-speed motors on their indoor fans (blowers), outdoor fans, or both. Zone control systems, often found in larger homes, use automatic dampers to allow the heat pump to keep different rooms at different temperatures. Two-speed heat pumps also work well with zone control systems. Unlike standard compressors that can only operate at full capacity, two-speed compressors allow heat pumps to operate close to the heating or cooling capacity needed at any particular outdoor temperature, saving energy by reducing on/off operation and compressor wear. A number of innovations are improving the performance of heat pumps. ![]()
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