In today's world, when energy efficiency and sustainability are becoming increasingly important, heat pumps are gaining popularity as an effective source of heating. They can be used in air conditioning installations, providing effective cooling in the summer. The excess electricity generated by heat pumps can be efficiently used to power the heating system, which allows for significant savings. Learn the best practices to help install them so that the reduction in energy costs is satisfactory.
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Selecting a heat pump for the energy needs of your home
Selecting the right heat pump for the energy needs of the house is crucial for the efficient and economical operation of the heating and cooling system. A well-selected heat pump heats or cools the room appropriately all year round, but also minimizes operating costs. Additionally, the use of heat pumps contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Heat pumps and energy networks can work together, optimizing the use of available energy and improving the efficiency of heating systems.
So the decision on the appropriate heat pump power depends on:
- the size and volume of the building intended for heating,
- the type of thermal insulation in the house and its efficiency,
- average annual temperatures in a given location,
- annual amount of hot water consumed by residents.
Heat pumps have a high efficiency coefficient. The average energy demand of a typical single-family house is around 50 W/m². The required heat pump power can be calculated using the formula:
- e.g., for a small house of 100 m²: 100 m² * 50 W = 5000 W, or 5 kW;
- for a larger house of 150 m²: 150 m² * 50 W = 7500 W, or 7.5 kW.
Thanks to this approach, it is possible to determine the appropriate heat pump capacity, taking into account the individual energy requirements and thermal comfort of users.
Heat Pump Installation Step by Step
Heat pumps are powered by energy from renewable sources, making them an ecological solution for heating and cooling buildings. The installation of heat pumps affects their efficiency and is a process that requires experience and technical knowledge. If carried out properly, it can affect not only the efficiency, but also the durability and reliability of the heating and cooling system.
Heat Pump Installation Design
The installation project is a document that precisely defines all the details and requirements for the installation of this heat source. The project should include:
- analysis of technical conditions, including the availability of a suitable place outside the building or inside the technical room where the heat pump will be installed,
- heat pump specification, i.e. determining the type and model of heat pump appropriate to the specific requirements of the building,
and also:
- hydraulic and electrical design,
- security and regulations,
- technical documentation,
- compliance with standards and regulations.
Determining the location and installation site of the heat pump
Preparation should begin with consideration of local conditions and building regulations. Then consider:
- protection against weather conditions - the heat pump should be placed in a place protected from heavy rain, snow, wind or direct sunlight, which may affect its efficiency and durability,
- access to air — air source heat pumps must have adequate access to fresh air for the outdoor unit,
- Distance from living areas - Using a heat pump can be noisy. To minimise noise from the outdoor unit, it is a good idea to locate it a reasonable distance from living areas.
When installing heating devices, you should also take into account access to electrical and hydraulic installations.
Official formalities before installing a heat pump
Pre-installation formalities for heat pumps sometimes include obtaining building permits and approval from local authorities that regulate the installation of heating systems in a given region.
Ground source heat pumps require a large plot of land, while vertical probe installation requires drilling, often up to 100 meters deep. A water pump requires continuous moving water and an external power source, such as electricity, oil or gas, to operate properly.
Pursuant to art. 29 section 4 point 3 point c of the Act of 7 July 1994 - Building Law (consolidated text: Journal of Laws of 2021, item 2351), the installation of heat pumps with an electric power of not more than 50 kW does not require a building permit decision or notification.
Drilling works after selecting a ground source heat pump
Ground source heat pumps require drilling work using specialist equipment for drilling deep holes several dozen meters deep. In the case of soft ground, boreholes into which vertical sections of polyethylene (PE) pipes are inserted should be made using a mechanical drilling rig using the rotary drilling method with a mud. Typical holes reach a depth of about 100 meters and are made in an average time of about 6 hours. In the case of hard ground, boreholes should be made using the rotary-percussive drilling method with a down-the-hole hammer.
After inserting a probe made of PE pipes with heads through which the medium extracting heat from the ground flows, the hole should be filled with a bentonite-gravel mixture. Then, connect the probes to the distributor and lead them to the building using devices: distribution wells, cabinets and wall distributors. After a positive result of the pressure test, the system must be filled with a propylene glycol solution.
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Installation of heat pump and other installation equipment
Unlike the air heat pump installation, the installation of its ground counterpart is more complex. After placing the heat pump in its final location, it is necessary to connect it to other elements of the installation, such as: a domestic hot water tank, a heating water storage tank and various fittings, including circulation pumps, expansion vessels, valves and pipelines. This stage of the heat pump installation is the most demanding in terms of work and complexity. Check out the heat pump accessories .
Checking the tightness test and cleaning the cooling system
The installation of a split heat pump requires the installation of external and internal units and their connection with refrigeration connections of appropriate diameters. Before the gas connection, it is necessary to carry out a tightness test, consisting of filling the system with nitrogen at a pressure of 30 to 40 bar. The tightness test should last at least 40 minutes in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
After a successful leak test, the next step is to clean and dry the system using a vacuum pump, which should maintain the vacuum for at least 30 minutes after reaching 0 bar on the pressure gauge.
First start-up of the heat pump and proper configuration
Correct connection of the heat pump and other elements of the installation is crucial for its effective operation. The last stage of installation is the connection and start-up of the device.
Most manufacturers provide first start-up protocols with heat pumps, which help to prepare and detect potential problems. To ensure optimal and economical operation of the heat pump, it is necessary to complete all procedures related to the first start-up. Additionally, to save money and minimize operating costs, the heat pump should be configured to use the cheaper night tariff for electricity use (G12 Tariff). In this system, the device operates according to the schedule set by the user. Every prosumer appreciates the operation of the heat pump.