(Press F5 if not auto start)

Can a Heat pump replace a boiler?

(arrow-down or mouse-click)

Not without a bit of thought.

Maximum efficiencies are unlikely to be achieved without a few changes the system

Let us consider a Condensing boiler circuit

Example
Flue losses 10 15% 85 90% to water Heat output approximates to average (mean) flow-return temperature

65C
(Flow-rate 1) Boiler

65C

rt = 20

55C

45C

45C

http://www.heatpumps.co.uk/heatpumpcalculator.html

Low return temperature helps condensing- increases efficiency

(note, the delta t of 20 might be a little high, nonetheless, this example would work quite efficiently)

Lets replace the boiler with a heat pump

Heat pumps are fundamentally different to boilers

Example
Heat output approximates to average (mean) flow-return temperature

Keeping flow temperature low increases energy efficiency

Same heat output As previous slide

58C

58C
(Flow-rate x 3)

Heat Pump
52C

r t = 6

55C

52C

Electrical input (relative to heat output) can vary considerably

http://www.heatpumps.co.uk/heatpumpcalculator.html

The flow is now colder, and the return is hotter. How did we achieve these temperature changes? In our example we have trebled the water flow rate. Remember, our heat (kW) is the same in every example.

Note: - To increase the flow-rate, the pipe diameter is likely to have to be bigger so that pumping power is not increased.
(pump energy is an energy loss).

Heat pumps are fundamentally different to boilers

Heat (kW)(Repeat = Flowrate (lit/sec) x 4.2 x rt of previous slide)
Simple formula for heat, water flow and temperature difference

Heat output approximates to average (mean) flow-return temperature

Keeping flow temperature low increases energy efficiency

Example

Same heat output As previous slide

58C

58C
(Flow-rate x 3)

Heat Pump
52C

r t = 6

55C

52C

Electrical input (relative to heat output) can vary considerably

http://www.heatpumps.co.uk/heatpumpcalculator.html

You might think that the heat transfer is better when there is a large flow-return temperature difference. However, it all depends on how fast the heat is taken away. i.e. it depends in the water flow rate.

If the heat transfer (kW) is constant, and the flow rate is doubled, then the temperature difference between the flow and return is halved. Our heat pump prefers this, it sees a lower flow temperature.

How can we reduce the working temperature further?

Increase the size of the radiator.

A bigger radiator will emit more heat, so the temperatures are dragged down to a lower temperature.

Now with a bigger radiator

Rule of thumb: - 1 drop in water temperature can result in about 2.5% improvement in system efficiency
Keeping flow temperature low increases energy efficiency

A bigger emitter system reduces the working temperatures. This increases the COP significantly.
Same heat output but at lower temperature

Example

46C

46C
(Flow-rate x 3)

Heat Pump
40C

r t = 6

43C

40C

(Doubling the radiator area can reduce the mean temperature from 60 to about 44C)
(see radiators manufacturers data)

Could we have done anything else?

If we insulate the house more, then less heat is needed, this can reduce the water temperatures required. This therefore increases the energy efficiency of the heat pump.

What else could reduce the temperature?

Now with underfloor heating

Better still :underfloor heating designed for low temperatures
36C
(Flow-rate x 3) Pipes in floor screed

Keeping flow temperature low increases energy efficiency

Example

36C

Heat Pump
30C

r t = 6

43C

30C

Note : - In general, tiles or slabs on screed give better results than wood.
http://www.heatpumps.co.uk/heatpumpcalculator.html

So, we now have an efficient heat pump system. It took a few changes But the increase in energy efficiency makes the long term energy savings worthwhile

Dont forget to check your heat pumps settings. A simple adjustment to reduce the water temperature in the heating system will save energy