Absorption (gas fired) heat pumps
Absorption heat pumps (or gas-fired heat pumps) are a new type of heat pumps, with a new energy source: gas instead of the electricity consumed by common models.
Energy sources
Absorption heat pumps are air-source heat pumps driven by natural gas, propane or even solar-heated water or geothermal-heated water. Sometimes they are referred as gas-fired heat pumps (gas is their most common heat source).
Absorption heat pumps technology is recent and yet rather experimental. Some important manufacturers (Sanyo…) are introducing this type of equipment, but their offer is still rather restrict to commercial buildings.
Gas fired models
Most absorption heat pumps have gas and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) as their power source.
An environmental option
Due to their power sources, these pumps constitute a valid environmental option. They can make use of solar energy and geothermal hot water; even gas fired models may reduce CO2 and NOX emissions relatively to electricity driven models.
Large Homes
Today's absorption heat pumps are mainly used in industrial and commercial applications, though large residential homes – on the scale of 4,000 square feet or more – may also benefit from this introductory systems.
See also:
Heat Pumps Basics
Geothermal Ground Heat Pumps
Air-Source Heat Pumps
Heat Pumps vs Furnaces and Air-Conditioning
