Systems and Methods for Duct-Free Heat Pump Water Heater

Abstract

Duct-free heat pumps for water heaters are provided. In some instances, the heat pump includes a housing comprising at least one air inlet and a plurality of air outlets disposed around a perimeter of the housing, at least one fan configured to move air from the at least one air inlet to the plurality of air outlets, an evaporator positioned adjacent to the at least one air inlet, and a diffuser positioned below the evaporator. The diffuser is configured to redirect air to the plurality of air outlets.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heat pump for a water heater, comprising:
 a housing comprising at least one air inlet and a plurality of air outlets disposed around a perimeter of the housing;   at least one fan configured to move air from the at least one air inlet to the plurality of air outlets;   an evaporator positioned adjacent to the at least one air inlet; and   a diffuser positioned below the evaporator, wherein the diffuser is configured to redirect air to the plurality of air outlets.   
     
     
         2 . The heat pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a compressor positioned below the diffuser. 
     
     
         3 . The heat pump of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air inlet is disposed on a top surface of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The heat pump of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fan is disposed adjacent to the at least one air inlet. 
     
     
         5 . The heat pump of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fan is disposed below the at least one air inlet, the evaporator is disposed below the at least one fan, and the diffuser is disposed below the evaporator. 
     
     
         6 . The heat pump of  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser comprises a cone or a dome. 
     
     
         7 . The heat pump of  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser comprises a lip configured to collect condensation and a drain pipe in fluid communication with the lip, wherein the drain pipe is configured to direct condensation out of the heat pump. 
     
     
         8 . The heat pump of  claim 1 , further comprising insulation disposed in the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The heat pump of  claim 8 , wherein the insulation is configured to further redirect air to the plurality of air outlets. 
     
     
         10 . The heat pump of  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser comprises one or more fins configured to direct air to the plurality of air outlets. 
     
     
         11 . A water heater comprising:
 a water tank; and   a heat pump disposed above the water tank, the heat pump, comprising:
 a housing comprising at least one air inlet and a plurality of air outlets disposed around a perimeter of the housing, 
 at least one fan configured to move air from the at least one air inlet to the plurality of air outlets, 
 an evaporator positioned adjacent to the at least one air inlet, and 
 a diffuser positioned below the evaporator, wherein the diffuser is configured to redirect air to the plurality of air outlets. 
   
     
     
         12 . The water heater of  claim 11 , further comprising a compressor positioned below the diffuser. 
     
     
         13 . The water heater of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one air inlet is disposed on a top surface of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The water heater of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one fan is disposed adjacent to the at least one air inlet. 
     
     
         15 . The water heater of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one fan is disposed below the at least one air inlet, wherein the evaporator is disposed below the at least one fan, wherein the diffuser is disposed below the evaporator. 
     
     
         16 . The water heater of  claim 11 , wherein the diffuser comprises a cone or a dome. 
     
     
         17 . The water heater of  claim 11 , wherein the diffuser comprises a lip configured to collect condensation, and wherein the heat pump further comprises a drain pipe in fluid communication with the lip, wherein the drain pipe is configured to direct condensation out of the heat pump. 
     
     
         18 . The water heater of  claim 11 , wherein the diffuser comprises one or more fins configured to direct air to the plurality of air outlets. 
     
     
         19 . A method for heating water using a heat pump, the method comprising:
 positioning at least one air inlet at a top of a housing and a plurality of air outlets around a perimeter of the housing below the at least one air inlet; and   directing, by a diffuser, air from the at least one air inlet to the plurality of air outlets.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 moving air, by at least one fan, from the at least one air inlet to the plurality of air outlets; and   transferring heat between the air and a refrigerant using an evaporator positioned adjacent to the at least one air inlet,   wherein the diffuser is positioned below the evaporator.