STUDY OF PERFORMANCE OF ATTIC AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP IN MAINE

Heat pumps are a popular heating source in many parts of the United States. They are not widely used in State of Maine due to an assumption that they are marginally useful in cold climates. An attic source heat pump is a variation on a conventional heat pump. In summer, the temperature in the attic is much higher than outside as it absorbs the heat from sunlight. In winter or evening, the attic captures the heat released from the house. Therefore, the attic makes a good candidate for the heat source of a heat pump. For this ongoing study, a laboratory scale heat pump was constructed and experimental tests were performed to establish its operating performance. A temperature controlled testing chamber was built to simulate the attic environment. Attic heat was used to heat up a water tank. COP value was measured for different attic temperatures. Experimental data were favorable to the use of an attic air source heat pump in Maine.