OLD BUILDINGS

Homeowner saves two thirds of operating costs

AIR-TO-WATER HEAT PUMP IN OLD BUILDING

The uncomfortable and expensive days of electrical night-storage heaters are over. Now an energy-efficient air-to-water heat pump heats the Hildebrandt family’s home. When the homeowners had had enough of their outdated and expensive night-storage heaters, they decided it was time for a new heater. The Hildebrandt family discussed the various options in detail with the master craftsman Heinrich Behring from Team Wärmeservice GmbH and ultimately decided that an air-to-water heat pump was the best solution for their single-family home.

DESIGNED TO MEET

ENERGY NEEDS

This option offers benefits that are particularly relevant to renovations: Since the energy is taken from the outside air, no costly and time-consuming holes have to be drilled like for a geothermal heat pump. And extensive geothermal collectors are not needed either. Behring planned the new system to meet the specific energy needs. “In addition to the size of the building, the insulation and the flow temperature were taken into consideration. It is particularly important to heed the technical specifications and requirements when higher flow temperatures are needed,” says Behring.

IDEAL SOLUTION

FOR RENOVATION OF OLD BUILDINGS

Its high efficiency led the Hildebrandts to choose an Ecodan heat pump system with the patented Zubadan technology. It is one of the few systems on the market that is ideal for renovating an old building. This heat pump achieves its full heating capacity at temperatures as low as -15 °C without the need for an electrical heating rod or other aids. And the manufacturer guarantees proper functioning even at temperatures as low as -28 °C. The financial benefits of installing the modern heater quickly become apparent. The Hildebrandts are delighted: “We will probably save two thirds of our heating costs.”

HOW A HEAT PUMP WORKS

The principle of an air-to-water heat pump is easy to explain: Outside air is drawn in by a fan and then conveyed over a heat exchanger (evaporator). The evaporator contains a liquid refrigerant that evaporates and expands even at low temperatures, absorbing energy from the outside air. The refrigerant, which is then gaseous, is drawn into the compressor and compressed. This causes the temperature and pressure to rise significantly. The refrigerant, now hot, pressurized steam, flows to another heat exchanger (liquefier) and gives off its heat to the connected heating system. As it cools, the refrigerant liquefies again, loses pressure and expands. Then it flows back to the evaporator, where the process starts over again.

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SIMPLE INSTALLATION

OF THE HEAT PUMP

The Hildebrandts’ new air-to-water heat pump consists of two fundamental elements: an outdoor unit and an indoor module. They are linked to one another by pipelines that convey refrigerant. The outdoor unit is on a small pedestal at the front of the house, and the indoor module is in the cellar. A 200 litre buffer tank is also in the cellar. The Hildebrandts added the tank to increase the system’s efficiency by optimizing the compressor operating time. The Hildebrandts also invested in new heat distribution. The old, heavy night-storage heaters were replaced with eight panel radiators.

HIGHER COMFORT,

LOWER COSTS

While the operating costs fall, the new system means greater comfort and cosiness for the Hildebrandt family. The new pump, with its modular design, adapts constantly to the heat demand of the house. The heat pump controller’s large display provides a clear overview of the various options for setting the temperature. Other attributes such as lowering the temperature at night, holiday and party programs contribute to comfort and help to save energy. There is even a wi-fi adapter to allow the system to be controlled via a home network. A free app is used to control and monitor the system with a smartphone or tablet from anywhere in the world.

CONCLUSION

When the Hildebrandt family decided to replace their expensive and inconvenient night-storage heaters, they chose an energy-efficient air-to-water heat pump. The ideal choice, since no costly and time-consuming holes have to be drilled like for a geothermal heat pump and extensive geothermal collectors are not needed.

An Ecodan heat pump system with the patented Zubadan technology has been running since last summer – one of the few systems on the market that is ideally suited to renovating old buildings and consumes about two thirds less energy than old night-storage heaters.