Finding more efficient ways to provide heating and power are priorities for companies, consumers and governments. Higher temperature heat pumps are one possibility that could reduce emissions.
What is a high temperature heat pump?
Heat pumps are a way of heating the inside of a building by transferring heat from outside sources. The external heat source may be water, air or geothermal (underground). They work on a similar principle to an air conditioner or a refrigerator. In many places, they are a popular choice to replace gas boilers or electric heaters because they improve efficiency.
They do, however, have disadvantages, such as being expensive to run. One notable potential problem is that the maximum temperature of the water is lower than that heated by a gas boiler usually peaking between 45°C to 55°C. That is why attention is turning to higher temperature heat pumps that can provide hotter water.
Why may higher temperature heat pumps be a preferable option?
The lower temperature of water from conventional heat pumps means larger radiators and increased insulation are needed, which can make the system less efficient and more expensive. A high temperature heat pump may be able to work with your existing radiators and even operate alongside regular air source heat pumps Gloucester, the kind available from suppliers such as https://gsmlimited.com. You will also require less additional insulation. Maximum temperatures from high temperature heat pumps generally range between 60°C and 80°C.
This combination of increased heat and improved efficiency is what makes the high temperature heat pump an attractive proposition. An example is the Mitsubishi Electric EW-HT-G05 water-to-water heat pump, which does not just produce a maximum water temperature of 78°C, but is also estimated to provide a 56% reduction in global warming potential (GWP) in comparison to other designs. Higher temperature pumps are even more efficient than conventional heat pumps.
The new developments in heat pumps appear to have the potential to improve efficiency further. This could boost their popularity for people who need access to hotter water but are also concerned about the climate.
