At
                        the heart of Ecodan is a modern, inverter-driven heat
                        pump compressor which converts free energy from the air
                        and upgrades it to higher temperatures suitable for
                        heating. The inverter control regulates the system so
                        that heat output modulates to match the exact capacity
                        required, meaning the boiler will only consume the exact
                        energy needed at any given time and thus increase
                        efficiency further. The advanced heating technology used
                        in heat pumps make them ideal for use in the UK’s
                        ambient temperatures and hence perfect for the domestic
                        market.
                        The
                        technology inside the heat pump is similar to any
                        domestic refrigerator, which uses a vapour compression
                        cycle. The main components in the heat pump are the
                        compressor, the expansion valve and two heat exchangers
                        (an evaporator and a condenser).
                        How
                        it works
                        
                          - 
                            
 Refrigerant
                            in the evaporator is colder than the heat source.
                             This causes the heat to move from the heat
                            source (in this case the outside air) to the
                            refrigerant, which then evaporates.
 
                          - 
                            
This
                            vapour moves to the compressor and reaches a higher
                            temperature and pressure.
 
                          - 
                            
The
                            hot vapour now enters the condenser and gives off
                            heat as it condenses.
 
                          - 
                            
The
                            refrigerant then moves to the expansion valve; drops
                            in temperature and pressure; and then returns to the
                            evaporator.