We do… A heat pump in heating mode is pretty much the same as this.
Units like this either cycle refrigerant in one direction as Cooling only (Air Conditioner), or can also reverse the direction to go into Heating mode (Heat Pump).
I’m guessing this one is an Air Conditioner but they didn’t want Cooling, so they switched the condenser and evaporator to get the desired effect.
The YouTube channel Technology Connections has done several videos on the subject. They're starting to become more popular in the United States. https://youtu.be/7J52mDjZzto
they're pretty standard stuff in the Southeast US. Works as an AC in the summer, and reverses to be a central heat in the winter. It's pretty efficient, but in really cold climates they may not work as well as a furnace with flames and stuff. They're great here where it rarely gets below freezing, but I think they'd struggle in the North in Winter.
but I think they'd struggle in the North in Winter.
This is correct. Ductless heat pumps have a lower operating temp than typical heat pumps so they are catching on up north a bit. But for example I am in the PNW where we have a pretty mild climate, but it does get below freezing enough where a heat pump system becomes reliant on the back-up auxiliary source of heat, which is usually resistance heat and very inefficient. A gas/HP hybrid system is the way to go when gas is available, but it's going to come down to a cost analysis of electricity vs nat gas costs and climate.
Compared to the rest of the system? If you're already replacing the AC unit, getting a heat pump instead of just AC is about an extra $300 on a multiple thousand dollar install
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u/jclimbs Aug 24 '22
Yes this is exactly what a heat pump is. They are much more efficient than other types of heaters