Benefits of using heat pumps
Traditional systems used to heat water for hydronic heating and domestic hot water are not energy efficient . Heat pumps offer a number of advantages when compared to fossil-fuel water heaters :
• Higher COPs offer energy cost-savings above 50 %.
• Thanks to their efficiency and short amortization period , they represent an environmentally compatible and economically attractive alternative to conventional heating systems . Potential payback of the heat pump can be less than 2 years .
• Low operating-cost supplement to water heaters where total heating requirement exceeds heat pump capacity .
• Heat pumps can also be used as water chillers , which means lower first-costs , as one item of equipment performs cooling and heating .
• Life cycle of over 20 years . Johnson Controls heat pumps offer additional benefits by using environmentally friendly HFC and natural refrigerants , with zero ozone depletion potential , and low global warming potential .
Reduced operating costs
The best way to compare the efficiency of a heat pump and a water heater is to do a COP analysis . COP equals the energy output ( useful heat generated ) divided by the energy input ( energy supplied to the equipment ).
Accordingly , the higher the COP , the more efficient the system – and the lower your running costs !
As an example we can take a 1800 kW water-cooled heat pump as the one showed in chart and compare it to a natural gas boiler . When you compare the efficiency of a boiler to a heat pump , the heat pump comes out way ahead .
Hot Water Requirement
In the example given it ’ s possible to save up to 53 % in the energy bill vs the traditional natural gas boiler ! * Cost of Source : Eurostat Statistics web site .
1 kWh
1 kWh
1 kWh
Energy Source
Natural Gas Boiler
Air cooled Heat Pump
Water cooled Heat Pump
Efficiency
Average efficiency
Energy Consumption
COP = 0.9 1 kWh / 0.9 1.11 kWh
Average efficiency
COP = 3.2 1 kWh / 3.2 0.31 kWh
Average efficiency
COP = 5.5 1 kWh / 5.5 0.18 kWh
Cost of Source *
European Avg . Gas Cost
0.041 €/ kWh
European Avg . Electricity Cost
0.12 €/ kWh
European Avg . Electricity Cost
0.12 €/ kWh
Cost of Hot Water Requirement
1.11 kWh x 0.041 €/ kWh
4.5 c €
0.31 kWh x 0.12 €/ kWh
3.7 c €
0.18 kWh x 0.12 €/ kWh
2.1 c €
HP Saving vs Gas Boiler
-
18 %
53 %
CO 2 footprint reductions
Another benefit that offers heat pump technology is the reduction in CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel use . Heat pumps are a highly efficient electric alternative .
If we refer to the same example with a 1800 kW watercooled heat pump and compare it to a natural gas boiler , the reduction in CO 2 emissions is impressive .
In fact 1322 tons of CO 2 annually can be saved , which is the equivalent of removing about 278 cars * from the road ! * www . epa . gov / cleanrgy / energy-resources / calculator . html
Hot Water Requirem .
1 kWh
1 kWh
1 kWh
Energy Source
Natural Gas Boiler
Air cooled Heat Pump
Water cooled Heat Pump
Efficiency
Average efficiency
Energy Consumption
COP = 0.9 1 kWh / 0.9 1.11 kWh
Average efficiency
COP = 3.2 1 kWh / 3.2 0.31 kWh
Average efficiency
COP = 5.5 1 kWh / 5.5 0.18 kWh
CO2 Source Emissions *
CO2 Emissions
204 g CO 2 / kWh
CO2 Emissions
541 g CO 2 / kWh
CO2 Emissions
541 g CO 2 / kWh
Carbon Footprint
1.11 kWh x 204g CO 2 / kWh 226 g CO 2
0.31 kWh x 541g CO 2 / kWh 167 g CO 2
0.18 kWh x 541g CO 2 / kWh 97 g CO 2
HP CO2 footprint reduction vs Gas Boiler
-
26 %
57 %
* CO2 Source Emissions : UK Department of Energy , Food and Rural Affairs and carbonindependent web site
Reduced water and chemical consumption
When a heat pump is operating we are keeping heat within the building and not rejecting heat to the atmosphere . In other words , we ’ re saving condenser water from evaporating .
So when we look at our same 1800 kW water-cooled heat pump example again , how much water are we saving by not expelling heat to the atmosphere from the cooling tower ?
Over 26 million litres anually !
LEED points
Heat pumps will help you and your customers get LEED points . LEED is one of the most recognizable bodies that certifies building designs to demonstrate leadership in environmental impact .
The use of a heat pump also helps accreditation for BREEAM and other similar schemes .
YORK Air-Conditioning Products 105