Peltier modules are said to be less efficient than conventional air conditioners. Can a medium like moving cold water over the heat sink increase the efficiency of a peltier module? By how much? Another ideas is to bury the heat sink deep in the ground to cool the hot side through conduction instead of convection.
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$\begingroup$ Perhaps the efficiency is limited by the function of the junction. $\endgroup$– Solar MikeJul 8, 2021 at 20:22
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$\begingroup$ I would think the need for a heat sink fan could be replaced with a largert heat sink thus saving electricity. so may be a another more efficiant way to draw both heat from the hot side a cold from the cool side would also save on electricity? $\endgroup$– JustintimeforfunJul 8, 2021 at 20:27
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$\begingroup$ Using a peltier module (inside or guts) with a larger surface area and using a higher voltage at less amps would be more efficient? I could not find much on different configuration online. $\endgroup$– JustintimeforfunJul 8, 2021 at 20:32
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$\begingroup$ You seem to be loosing comments. $\endgroup$– Solar MikeJul 8, 2021 at 20:53
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1 Answer
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Be careful: "efficiency" usually means the ratio of energy applied to energy removed from the "cold side" object. Since a Peltier junction has a fixed delta-T , you won't get any colder by increasing the heat-sink capability. You will get to the cold limit faster, or even get to a lower temperature if you use cold water instead of room-temp air.
The only way to get a greater delta-T is to stack junctions.
BTW, there's a pretty good discussion of Peltier coolers here , where the practical limits of drive current are explained.
answered Jul 9, 2021 at 11:12