The History of Air Source Heat Pumps

The air source heat pump's conception resultedheat pump. Heat pumps also come in numerous
from the invention of air conditioning units. It wassizes and power variations now meaning that
Willis Carrier, a mechanical engineering graduatethere are models to fit several sizes of household
who initially came up with the first drawings for anor even for corporate use.
air conditioning unit in 1902. In 1914 Willis CarrierIn recent years, due to natural depleting natural
lost his job due to cut backs as World War 1resources, many people are looking for greener
began. It was than that Carrier and seven fellowhome heating solutions. There are many options
mechanical engineers set up their own company,available on the market, but in European countries
the Carrier Engineering Corporationthe air source pump has been favoured. Suited to
The air conditioning units employed a 'refrigerationthe most climates now the air source heat pump
cycle' in order to produce cooler air, thereforesystems are fitted to the exterior of the
de-humidifying and cooling the environment. Airresidence and can provide up to a 40% saving on
source pumps adopt a similar process in reverse,energy bills, 50% reduced carbon footprint and
therefore emitting heat instead of cooler air intoincreased energy efficiency.
the environment.Although relatively new within the UK market,
Theses pumpa are more commonly used in milderthere is a huge adoption in Europe, 300,000 units
climates where temperatures are more consistentwere sold in Germany and France in 2008 alone.
although there have been recent developmentsWith the large environmental and monetary
as in 2007 an Oklahoma inventor developed an aitbenefits it is predicted that air source heat pumps
to air heap pump defrosting system, allowing forwill become more widely used throughout the UK.
their use in colder climates.To find out more about the Mitsubishi Ecodan air
There are now many companies producing thesesource heat system please visit the Green Air
heating machines such as the Mitsubishi EcodanCentral Heating website for more information.