Worcester launches two new Greensource air source heat pump

(21/07/2008)

With homeowners more aware than ever of ‘green’ technologies and wanting to improve and reduce their heating bills, the Government provides grants as part of its Low Carbon Buildings Programme, offering households up to a maximum of £2,500.

Worcester, Bosch Group has added to its renewable product portfolio by launching two new Greensource air source heat pump (ASHP) options, offering homeowners an alternative option for ‘greener’ home heating with minimal CO2 emissions.

ASHP’s can be sited in both new build as well as existing properties, offering a fresh alternative for environmentally conscious homeowners looking for a heating system with minimal CO2 emissions. In the same way a fridge extracts energy from the air and cools the inside of the fridge, an air source heat pump extracts energy from the outdoor air and uses it to heat a home and its hot water supply. Air-to-water systems heat a building through radiators or an under-floor heating system, whilst air-to-air systems produce warm air which is circulated for space heating.

Air – even cold air – is a constant and inexhaustible source of energy, and Worcester’s Greensource heat pumps work very effectively in outside temperatures as low as -20°C. The advanced technology is popular in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe, so it’s more than suited to the UK’s comparatively mild winters and is a highly efficient heating and hot water solution whatever the season.

Greensource air-to-water heat pumps

In an air-to-water system the air is used to heat water, which then heats a storage tank. Water is then taken from the tank and circulated around the chosen heating system.

The technology inside an air-to-water heat pump works on similar principles to a domestic fridge. An external fan draws air from outside the building into the unit before converting the heat within the air into useable heat for the home. Designed to work with existing traditional wet central heating systems (radiators), Greensource air to water heat pumps transfer the converted heat into water to deliver low-cost, energy saving heating and hot water all year round.

The heat pump can operate at up to 65°C flow temperatures however, it is more efficient when operating on lower temperature heating systems (typically 35-45°C), making Worcester’s air-to-water heat pumps the perfect partner for underfloor heating as well as radiators. Even really cold air can be converted into heat, as the Greensource system is capable of working effectively in outside temperatures of up to -20oC.

When properly installed, an air-to-water heat pump can produce up to four times more heat energy for use in the home than the electrical energy it consumes. Greensource air-to-water outdoor units have a CoP (Coefficient of Performance) of up to 4, which means each heat pump is capable of providing up to 4kW of energy for every kW used.

A choice of three outdoor air-to-water units is available – 6kW, 7kW and 9.5kW. And to complete the package, Worcester has also introduced a Greensource Integrated Cylinder.

The Greensource Cylinder has been technically developed to ensure maximum savings, long life, easy operation and simple installation. It’s designed for connection to all types of wet-based heating systems and is also an excellent alternative for underfloor heating. With a hot water capacity of 151 litres and compact 600mm.sq size – it’s the ideal companion for the Worcester Greensource air-to-water heat pump.

Greensource air-to-air heat pumps

Air-to-air systems convert the energy from the outside air into heat using the same technique as the air-to-water heat pumps and then circulate warm air internally to a comfortable temperature. As an extra benefit, Worcester’s heat pumps also operate as an air cooler and purifier (which is ideal for allergy sufferers) using Plasmacluster Ion-technology.

Air-to-air heat pumps are an excellent choice for providing energy efficient heating where external space is limited as they require nothing more than a suitable outside wall, making them idea for apartments and smaller homes.

The air-to-air heat pumps are highly efficient in all temperatures and offer a CoP of up to 5. The product is an ideal choice for those with open-plan living space and people looking for an energy efficient method of heating their conservatory. With minimum fuss and installation requirements, Worcester’s Greensource air source heat pumps are the ideal choice to help consumers minimise their heating bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

What are the benefits of air source heat pumps?

- There is no requirement for the use, or storage, of external fuel as they run on electricity, therefore eliminating the need for a gas connection or storage of oil/solid fuel.
- Only need one outside wall, making them ideal for apartments and homes with limited outside space.
- With no need for buried underground coils installation costs are minimal, compared to ground source heat pumps.
- Air source heat pumps produce a maximum flow temperature of 65°C and are able to work at an outdoor temperature of -20°C and have an auto-defrost function.
- The products are designed to be connected to all types of wet heating systems.

Performance is measured by the Coefficient of Performance (CoP). CoP’s for air source systems are comparable with ground source heat pumps and generally range between 3 and 4. This means that for every unit of electricity used to power the pump, 3-4 units of heat are produced, making it an efficient way of heating a building.

Before thinking about installing an air source heat pump, you should consider the following:
- You will need an external wall to site the heat pump unit.
- The heat pump must be positioned to allow air to pass freely through the evaporator (min 300mm from the wall).
- As air source heat pumps generally produce hot water at a lower temperature, the property should be well insulated and draught proofed. This will lower heat demand and make the system more effective.
- Consider what fuel is being replaced – air source heat pumps are a good option particularly where gas is unavailable.
- Is the system for a new property? Combining the installation with other building works can reduce costs.
- To further reduce a property’s CO2 emissions consider installing a renewable electricity generating system to power the compressor and pump.

All air source heat pumps in the range are covered by a comprehensive 2 year warranty.

Martyn Bridges, director of marketing and technical support commented: "Air source heat pump technology has become increasingly popular in the Swedish market and as it’s more than suited to the UK’s comparatively mild winters these products will suit UK requirements perfectly. We think they will catch on quite quickly, as the only space requirement for installing an air-to-water heat pump is an accessible outside wall together with the internal hot water distribution unit. This makes them suitable for a wide range of property types, especially those with restricted garden space where the owners are keen to have heat pump technology but do not have the space for a ground source collection."

Related categories:  Energy Conservation   Heat pumps   Hot water generation and supply   Residential applications 

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