How heat pumps REALLY work - BBC World Service

BBC World Service β€’ June 8, 2025
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Heat pumps are seen by many to be the best way of cutting carbon dioxide emissions to heat our homes because they run on electricity instead of gas. Click here to subscribe to our channel πŸ‘‰πŸ½ https://bbc.in/3VyyriM In the UK, the government’s climate advisers calculate that around half of all homes will need to have a heat pump by 2040 if the UK is to meet its net zero targets. BBC News’ climate editor Justin Rowlatt takes you through the science behind the workings of a heat pump. 00:00 Introduction 01:36 Take a look inside a heat pump 02:03 The second law of thermodynamics explained 02:45 What is a phase change? 03:15 Latent heat is stored in a phase change 03:45 Dry ice turns into gas at -78C 04:35 The boiling point of refrigerants such as butane is -36C 05:40 How refrigerants flow inside the heat pump 06:26 The power of pressure 08:12 Water is boiled in a vacuum 09:06 Making tea on Mount Everest 09:45 Boiling point for a pressure cooker is 115C 11:07 A valve in heat pump expands and eases pressure With special thanks to Professor Andrea Sella, professor of chemistry at University College London. Watch more science videos from across the World Service here πŸ‘‰πŸ½ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4dUkBJ9QHGzUQce5Qkt4gDE ---------------- This is the official BBC World Service YouTube channel. If you like what we do, you can also find us here: Instagram πŸ‘‰πŸ½ https://www.instagram.com/bbcworldservice Twitter πŸ‘‰πŸ½ https://twitter.com/bbcworldservice Facebook πŸ‘‰πŸ½ https://facebook.com/bbcworldservice BBC World Service website πŸ‘‰πŸ½ https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio Thanks for watching and subscribing! #BBCWorldService #WorldService #heatpump #science #climatechange

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