How do commercial heat pumps work?

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As we are all aware government rhetoric and legislation is leading to an increased interest in commercial heat pump technology for domestic hot water production and heating. This growing interest in commercial ground source and air source heat pumps is leading to many questions from gas installers, consultants, large commercial users, and the public. The questions are somewhat endless stemming from air source heat pump efficiency, ground source heat pump installation and much more!

In this blog our Head of Technical, Peter Seddon will be covering the simple question of just how does a commercial heat pump work? What are the key components and how do they all meld together to make a commercial heat pump system.

Commercial heat pumps work in a comparable way to other consumer appliances.

A commercial heat pump uses similar technology and operates in a similar way to an everyday consumer product, a common refrigerator. A “fridge” operates by removing heat from within the cabinet and exhausts this heat into the room. A heat pump follows a similar process however it is installed outside and extracts heat from the outside air and then transfers the heat generated into a body water.

What are the main components of a commercial heat pump?

A Heat Pump has four main components within the closed circuit which is also known as the refrigerant circuit.

These components are:

1. The Compressor.

A compressor is used to move gaseous refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit, and a heat exchanger, which extracts heat from the source. The heat is then passed on to a heat sink through another heat exchanger.

     2.The Condenser.

The Condenser is a form of heat exchanger and is used to transfer the heat from the hot compressed gas into the water without coming directly in to contact with each other. As a lot of the heat is removed from the gas it will now change state from a gas to a liquid but will still be high pressure.

     3.The Expansion Device

The expansion device allows the pressure of the refrigerant to be lowered which in turn will allow its state to be changed at lower temperatures which is crucial for the whole process.

     4. The Evaporator.

The Evaporator is the component that starts the process all over again and is another form of heat exchanger. By using a fan, it draws air across the Evaporator which allows the refrigerant to change state back into a low-pressure gas ready to go back into the compressor. This then goes back to the compressor to continue to the cycle.

There are of course a lot more components within the heat pump that are integral to its operation and the overall heat pump efficiency such as thermistors to monitor the temperature of the refrigerant and the Control Board to ensure the desired output is achieved.

Commercial Heat Pumps can transfer heat even in minus temperatures, air source and ground source heat pumps could generate heat as low as -20°C ambient temperature. Conversely, they also create heat at extremely high temperatures. This is achieved because of the low boiling point of the refrigerant gases.

Commercial heat pumps generally use less energy to operate than they output in heat energy, making them extremely efficient - However when the temperature lift for commercial water heating or space heating is substantial (Temperature lift = outdoor air temperature and the temperature heat is delivered at within the building).

With competitive price and timely delivery, OUTES sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

The heat pump efficiency i.e., COP or SCOP will reduce, therefore many heats pumps work at their optimum with low temperature heat distribution systems (such as underfloor heating) and why performance reduces dramatically when a heat pump is required to supply heat at high temperature for conventional for domestic hot water.

Commercial heat pumps, so that is how they work!

 As described commercial heat pumps are very similar to domestic heat pump models and other domestic appliances. To review the complete range of Rinnai commercial air source heat pumps visit Commercial Heat Pump Technology :: Rinnai UK (rinnai-uk.co.uk)

We recognise that air source heat pump design is not a straightforward task especially when designing commercial heat pump systems, so we aim to take the pain out of the process with our design support, capital expenditure, operational expenditure and carbon modelling for a free consultation with our heat pump experts contact us today on 0300 373 0660 or Help me choose a product :: Rinnai UK (rinnai-uk.co.uk)

Useful resources;

Home - Heat Pumps

Check if a heat pump could be suitable for your home - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Heat pumps are not only for residential applications, as many may assume. They can be an energy-efficient and economical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) alternative here in Mukwonago to the traditional HVAC systems the majority of commercial buildings use. 

Many businesses trying to cut down on their energy costs, looking to leave a smaller carbon footprint as well, are looking to a heat pump to address this issue for them. Our knowledgeable Midwest Heating & Cooling professionals would be happy to discuss this option with you for your Wisconsin business to see if it’s a viable alternative.

What Types of Commercial Heat Pumps Are There?

There are two main types of commercial heat pumps: air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) and water-source heat pumps (WSHPs).

Air-Source Heat Pumps

Air-source heat pumps are the most commonly used. They owe their popularity to their lower costs and ease of installation, since they don’t require any additional equipment or consistent water/ground temperatures to operate.

These systems acquire their heat from the outside air and transfer it inside. However, air-source heat pumps do lose their efficiency in extremely cold temperatures, where they require a backup heat source for supplementation. 

Water-Source Heat Pumps

In contrast, water-source heat pumps rely on water to acquire or disperse their heat from the steady temperature of water. These systems sustain their temperatures, not requiring a backup source, no matter the temperatures outside in Mukwonago. They offer some of the highest efficiencies in the HVAC industry.

In a commercial water-source heat pump, consistent water temperature in the loop is most commonly achieved through mechanical means, such as a cooling tower, chiller, or boiler.

How Do Commercial Heat Pumps Work?

Essentially, heat pumps operate like a refrigerator. Using a network of looping pipes extending from the hot side to the cold, the gas in the loops condenses to liquid and then expands again. 

This moves the heat along where it’s needed––extracting it from where it’s not wanted and moving it to areas where it is, offering a cooling solution in the summer and heating in the winter. Just like a ceiling fan that reverses direction whether cooling or heating is necessary, the liquid in the loops reverses direction depending on what’s required. 

What Are the Benefits of Commercial Heat Pumps?

Heat pumps are an effective part of efficient Widconsin HVAC systems. Simply moving heat from one area to another can use less energy than needing to generate heat. 

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available.

Here are just a few of the benefits of using a sustainable commercial heat pump instead of other heating and cooling means in Mukwonago:

• Significant savings on fuel bills as opposed to electric, oil, liquid gas, or solid fuel heating and cooling options. 

No consumption of energy is used here, just extracting heat from the air or water. This counters initial installation costs, meaning savings can be recognized in a relatively short time.

• Financial savings both on monthly operating costs and maintenance visits.

Commercial heat pumps don’t need regularly scheduled Midwest Heating & Cooling professional visits. The closed-loop system typically lasts 10 to 25 years, resulting in low repair costs and not needing to replace parts or the full system for years and years.

• Federal and state tax credits are available upon installation, as well as rebates. 

These reduce the overall net cost of installation.

• Happier employees and customers due to improved indoor air quality (IAQ) and low operating noise. 

Improved indoor air quality means healthier employees and customers. And a perceptibly lower operating noise won’t interfere with employee and customer focus and operations.

We Are Your Commercial Heat Pump Experts

Commercial heat pumps can serve both cooling and heating needs. Along with the benefits of energy efficiency, long-term cost savings, and happier-employee options, a commercial heat pump is a win-win solution for most Mukwonago, WI, businesses. Call Midwest Heating & Cooling at 414-204-7764 or request service online today to talk with one of our professionals to learn if a heat pump could be the right solution for you and your business.

The company is the world’s best Commercial Air Source Heat Pump supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.