gas heat pumps
Heat pumps are typically driven by electricity, but there are now – for locations where electricity is a problem – gas heat pumps (in fact, these pumps can also be driven by solar or geothermal-heated water, though much more infrequently).
Absorption heat pumps technology
Gas heat pumps use both the air heat pump technology and the absorption technology, based on an ammonia-water absorption fluid.
That refrigerant (ammonia) is condensed in a coil to release its heat (in order to provide heating to the house), or the inverse to absorb heat and to provide cooling.
Uses
Gas heat pumps applications are yet rather limited to industrial and commercial settings. Only in large residential homes – and in cases where power is scarce or non-existent – they can make sense.
A typical 5 ton residential system is too costly except for buildings with an area of 4,000 feet or more.
New features and improvements
New gas heat pumps include several new features and improvements like free hot water, reduced C02, extremely low nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions and natural gas or LPG options.
They offer improved efficiency and reduced running costs, but they have a huge problem: their high price…
Manufacturers
Between the manufacturers of absorption gas heat pumps are some very big manufacturers: Carrier, York, Trane, Robur, McQuay, LG, Century, Broad, Entropie, Colibri, Mitsubishi. But it's Sanyo that leads the market with their new M Series of gas driven VRF systems
See also:
New Heat Pumps
Ground and Water Source Heat Pumps
Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps
New Heat Pump Water Heaters
Heat Pumps Cooling
Heat Pumps Benefits and Environment