Heat from an A/C inverter calculation more than energy consumed?

In summary, the conversation discussed the possibility of using an air conditioner with inverter technology to reduce energy consumption compared to a standard electric heater. This is because the air conditioner uses a heat pump system to extract low-temperature heat from the external surroundings and convert it into high-temperature heat for heating a room. The efficiency of this process is dependent on the temperature difference between inside and outside, with larger differences resulting in more energy savings. However, it was noted that achieving a 4-5 efficiency at -20 degrees Celsius may be too optimistic. The conversation also mentioned the use of different types of heat pump systems and the Carnot cycle as a comparison for efficiency.
  • #1
pd2905
6
0
Hi guys can anyone please tell me that it is possible with an air conditioner of type inverter to put less energy than what the piece is receiving as heat. So let's say that on the inverter it says output KWh/ input KWh =4.

Henthalpy= G+TS
4*Hinput= Houtput inside the house

So to heat my house I use 4 times less energy if I just used a normal electric heater or this is what they write in product description?
 
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  • #2
If you use a standard electric heater, 100% of the electric energy consumed is converted in heat.

But, in if a 'heat pump', you use the electric energy to drive a compressor, and the machine converts low-temperature heat, available in the external surroundings, in the external air, mainly, to high temperature heat, that may be used to heat your room. The 'transportation cost' is lower than the energy costs of a resistance heater of the same heating power. How much lower depends on the difference of inside/outside temperatures. The larger the difference, the smaller the advantage with respect to a resistance heater.

A refrigerator (or heat pump, that is the same) is esentially a thermal engine working in reverse. Instead of taking heat from a high-temperature place, producing useful mechanical work, and discharging that low-temp heat in a low-temperature place, the refrigerator/heat pump takes low-temp heat from a low temperature place, injects mechanical power, and places the resulting high-temp heat in a high temperature environment...I believe that using '4 times less energy' may be too optimistic...
 
Last edited:
  • #3
I guess that what you are describing is more commonly known as a heat pump. If that is the case, then indeed you get more heat out than the electricity input, as additional heat is extracted from the outside air. This is more efficient than direct electric heating.
 
  • #4
This two very clear pictures are from 'The Second Law', by Henry Bent:

15599507266_916eb43343.jpg
15436560709_bc1ee81394.jpg
 
  • #5
NTW said:
If you use a standard electric heater, 100% of the electric energy consumed is converted in heat.

But, in if a 'heat pump', you use the electric energy to drive a compressor, and the machine converts low-temperature heat, available in the external surroundings, in the external air, mainly, to high temperature heat, that may be used to heat your room. The 'transportation cost' is lower than the energy costs of a resistance heater of the same heating power. How much lower depends on the difference of inside/outside temperatures. The larger the difference, the smaller the advantage with respect to a resistance heater.

A refrigerator (or heat pump, that is the same) is esentially a thermal engine working in reverse. Instead of taking heat from a high-temperature place, producing useful mechanical work, and discharging that low-temp heat in a low-temperature place, the refrigerator/heat pump takes low-temp heat from a low temperature place, injects mechanical power, and places the resulting high-temp heat in a high temperature environment...I believe that using '4 times less energy' may be too optimistic...
Thanks for your input,
Just to add to this
For an ideal heat pump cycle:

COP = TH/(TL-TH)
source wikipedia.
 
  • #6
DrClaude said:
I guess that what you are describing is more commonly known as a heat pump. If that is the case, then indeed you get more heat out than the electricity input, as additional heat is extracted from the outside air. This is more efficient than direct electric heating.

Thanks for the reply DrClaude, just to add to your thing there is heat pump systems that are air-water, water-water and air-air( air conditioner inverter).
For an ideal heat pump cycle:

COP = TH/(TL-TH)
source wikipedia.
 
  • #7
NTW said:
This two very clear pictures are from 'The Second Law', by Henry Bent:

15599507266_916eb43343.jpg
15436560709_bc1ee81394.jpg
How does delta S stay zero in both directions? So the reversed Carnot is the refrigeration cycle, but do these heat pumps use only one cycle, and is it possible that they have some newer technologies so that the efficiency of an air-air heat pump reaches 4 or 5 up to -20 degrees C?
 
  • #8
pd2905 said:
How does delta S stay zero in both directions? So the reversed Carnot is the refrigeration cycle, but do these heat pumps use only one cycle, and is it possible that they have some newer technologies so that the efficiency of an air-air heat pump reaches 4 or 5 up to -20 degrees C?

400K reservoir ---> ΔE (cal) = -1200 cal ΔS (cal/K) = -3 cal/K
300K reservoir ---> ΔE (cal) = +900 cal ΔS (cal/K) = +3 cal/K
Weight -------------> ΔE (cal) = +300 cal

Balance -----------> ΔE = 0 cal ΔS = 0 cal/k
 

Related to Heat from an A/C inverter calculation more than energy consumed?

1. What is an A/C inverter?

An A/C inverter is a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity. This allows for the efficient operation of air conditioning units, as well as other appliances.

2. How does an A/C inverter calculate heat?

An A/C inverter calculates heat by measuring the amount of energy consumed by the air conditioning unit and converting it into a heat output. This is typically measured in British thermal units (BTUs) or kilowatt hours (kWh).

3. Why does the heat calculated from an A/C inverter sometimes exceed the energy consumed?

This can happen due to the efficiency of the A/C inverter. Inverter technology allows for more precise control of the compressor and fan speeds, resulting in less energy consumption and higher heat output.

4. Is it normal for an A/C inverter to produce more heat than energy consumed?

Yes, it is normal for an A/C inverter to produce more heat than energy consumed. In fact, this is one of the benefits of using an inverter, as it can provide more heat output with less energy consumption.

5. How can I use the heat output calculated from an A/C inverter for practical purposes?

The heat output calculated from an A/C inverter can be used for various practical purposes, such as heating a room or water. It can also be used to determine the efficiency of the air conditioning unit and help with energy management.

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