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An electric heat pump is one way to [[heating|heat a building]]. It works a lot like [[air conditioning]] but in reverse: The hot air goes indoors; the cold air goes outdoors. | An electric '''heat pump''' is one way to [[heating|heat a building]]. It works a lot like [[air conditioning]] but in reverse: The hot air goes indoors; the cold air goes outdoors. | ||
{{considerations}} | <!--{{considerations}} __NOTOC__--> | ||
==Energy usage== | ==Energy usage== | ||
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Heat pumps are '''more energy-efficient''' than electric heaters.{{qn}} | Heat pumps are '''more energy-efficient''' than electric heaters.{{qn}} | ||
''Research needed:'' | ''Research needed:'' | ||
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** How much energy does it typically take to ''manufacture and install'' a heat pump? | ** How much energy does it typically take to ''manufacture and install'' a heat pump? | ||
** How often (if ever) is it viable/worthwhile to repurpose an air conditioner in the winter, to help with heating? | ** How often (if ever) is it viable/worthwhile to repurpose an air conditioner in the winter, to help with heating? | ||
*** Are there any "reversible" heat pumps that can work for both heating and cooling? {{p2|(why)|~ Manufacturing half as much stuff would certainly reduce life cycle emissions.<br /><br />~ Use cases:<br />- - ~ New construction<br />- - ~ Any time someone has to replace their air conditioner anyway<br />- - ~ Any time someone has to replace their heating system anyway, and doesn't already have an air conditoner but could use one}} | |||
==Refrigerant chemicals== | ==Refrigerant chemicals== | ||
{{sum|Long-term problem{{rn}} }} | {{sum|Long-term problem {{rn}} }} | ||
Because of how heat pumps work,<!-- TODO: add a section about how they work --> they must contain a substance known as a ''refrigerant''. Most refrigerants in use today{{en}} happen to be potent [[greenhouse gases]]. They aren't supposed to leak out into the atmosphere - but they sometimes do, if the heat pump gets old or is disposed of improperly. | Because of how heat pumps work,<!-- TODO: add a section about how they work --> they must contain a substance known as a ''refrigerant''. Most refrigerants in use today{{en}} happen to be potent [[greenhouse gases]]. They aren't supposed to leak out into the atmosphere - but they sometimes do, if the heat pump gets old or is disposed of improperly. | ||
''This section is incomplete. It needs:'' | ''This section is incomplete. It needs:'' |