Heat pump
Heat pumps are the key green technology for cooling, heating and domestic hot water preparation.
Heat pumps are using the heat contained in the ground as their main source of energy. The operating mode is the same as used in your fridge. Extracting heat off the ground (or inside your fridge) and use it (or get rid of it to outside your fridge).
The most common thermal application is a ground-sourced heat pump (GHP). These installations provide both, cooling and heating and comprise three main components.
Heat Pump:
a device using vapor-compression refrigeration technology to move heat. In heating mode, the heat pump transfers heat collected in the source loop and delivers it to the building for heating and DHW; in cooling mode, the process is reversed and heat in the building is removed and disposed first into DHW, if there is still any surplus it will be disposed to the (now dispose) loop.
Source Loop:
a network of pipes is sourcing or disposing energy from or to ground, air, groundwater or surface water, such loops reside besides the building or the location they service.
Distribution System:
this network distributes heat to or removes heat from the building or application. For heating and cooling one uses preferably „European style“, under floor piping system and/or common fan coils, both supplied by water.
Available performance
Available performance ranges from 1.0-600 kW and temperatures from -15° to +70°C these systems are suited for use in family homes, apartment and office buildings as well as for industrial applications such as wineries, shopping centers and hotels.
The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is >4.5-5 indicating that using one part of electrical energy creates 4.5-5 parts of thermal energy thus saving 75-80% of electricity compared to traditional installations. The EER in cooling mode is > 6-6.5.
