
Efficient, environmentally friendly and economical heat pumps on Mallorca
Use of renewable heat sources for sustainable energy
Heat pumps play a crucial role in the world of renewable energies. They have the ability to utilize natural heat from various sources and convert it into usable energy for heating and hot water. But how do they work and what do heat pumps have in common with refrigerators? We dive into these questions and explore the fascinating world of heat pumps, focusing specifically on their relevance to the stunning island of Mallorca.
Access to the earth’s resources
Whether it’s spring, summer, autumn or winter – the temperature several meters below our feet remains constant all year round. At a depth of around ten meters, the temperature is between five and fifteen degrees Celsius. This stable geothermal energy can be used to provide heating and hot water. How is that possible? By using a heat pump system in conjunction with geothermal probes installed in the garden.
How heat pumps work
A heat pump collects thermal energy from the ground and concentrates it until enough heat is generated to supply a hot water tank or other heating systems, for example. Put simply, a heat pump works in a similar way to a refrigerator, but in reverse. While a refrigerator extracts heat from the interior and releases it to the outside, the aim of a heat pump is to absorb heat from the environment and make it usable for domestic purposes.
Efficient conversion of ambient heat into energy
In a heat pump system, a liquid refrigerant evaporates by absorbing heat from the environment. A compressor compresses this heated, gaseous refrigerant, causing it to heat up further. The hot, gaseous refrigerant transfers its heat to the heating system or the hot water tank, cools down and becomes liquid again. Through an expansion or throttle valve, which reduces the pressure of the circulating refrigerant, the refrigerant cools down further and can absorb heat from the environment again. This process forms a closed cycle.
Using valuable energy from the environment
Modern heat pumps work extremely efficiently. To generate the heat required for heating and hot water, they require only a fraction of the electricity compared to conventional methods. At the same time, they use several times the amount of energy from the ground, groundwater or air. These resources are available free of charge and unlimited. The output of a heat pump depends on the output temperature of the heat source. The higher this temperature, the lower the power consumption and the more efficiently the heat pump works. To further increase efficiency, it is advisable to set a suitable target temperature. Heat pumps are particularly suitable for well-insulated houses that can be heated efficiently with low-temperature systems such as underfloor heating.
Climate-conscious heat pumps: the link to renewable energies
A heat pump can be climate-neutral and offset up to 100% of CO2 emissions, provided the electricity required comes from renewable energy sources. This can be achieved by using green electricity or installing photovoltaic systems on the roofs. When purchasing a heat pump, several aspects should be considered to ensure maximum efficiency and environmental friendliness. This includes selecting a suitable heat source (preferably ground), correctly dimensioning the system, minimizing noise emissions and using an environmentally friendly refrigerant.
What we do today determines what the world will look like tomorrow.
Incentives for use in Mallorca
Efficient and environmentally friendly heat pump systems for homes in Mallorca can benefit from financial support and incentives from the local authorities. If you have any questions on this topic in relation to Mallorca, we will be happy to help you!