Unitary water-to-air heat pumps are positioned in each space to be temperature controlled. They use the water loop as reservoir for extracting heat (heating mode) or heat rejection (cooling mode).
The water loop temperature can float upward or downward in a large band, which promotes energy storage before an external means of heating or cooling has to be applied to maintain the temperature within the prescribed limits.
The water loop temperature can be controlled via:
- Ground loop
- Boilers and heat rejection appliance (dry or adiabatic cooler)
- Reverse cycle heat pump
Principle benefits are the ability for bi-directional heat/coolth exchange (simultaneous heat recovery) and the ability to store energy (heat or coolth) over the daily cycle to provide non-simultaneous heat recovery.
In addition the consequences of possible refrigerant leakage are minimised and there is built in resilience in the event of major failure.
Water loop heat pump systems typically use a water-to-air unitary heat pump capable of:
- Direct connection to ground source loop
- Indirect water loop, temperature controlled by
- Boiler and dry/wetted surface/evaporative cooler
- Reverse cycle heat pump
For further information on water loop heat pumps contact ENER-G Sustainable Technologies on: 01623 666 340 or email heatpumps@energ.co.uk
