With that in mind, that heating tariffs are constantly rising, many people are looking for ways to save energy efficiently. Many years ago, it was proposed to extract energy from the environment and use heat pumps to heat the house. Such pumps have been used successfully for many years in Europe and Japan, however, for Russian consumers, heating a home with a heat pump is still something new.
Let's find out, what are heat pumps for heating, what is the principle of their action, consider the advantages and disadvantages, and find out, what are the prices for them.
Description and principle of operation of heat pumps
The heat pump is a device, able to extract low-temperature heat from the environment and convert it into high-temperature, which can be used to heat homes and heat water. Heat is taken from such sources, as:
- priming;
- water;
- air.
The principle of operation of this structure is based on physical and chemical processes. The key source of heat in the world is the sun. And soil, air and water masses are able to accumulate part of the heat energy, and a heat pump, in turn, collects it and allows it to be used for household needs, including home heating.
Description of geothermal heating system looks as follows:
- represent a closed loop, in which the refrigerant rotates - a chemical composition in liquid or gaseous form;
- the refrigerant is actuated by a compressor;
- add an expansion valve, which creates areas of high and low pressure;
-
when compressed, the refrigerant is heated, and at the point of exit from the supercharger it reaches the maximum temperature value, and at the point of exit from the valve - the minimum;
- include heat exchangers in the design, one of which is a cold water evaporator, and the other is a hot capacitor. In the first case, the air or water will be cooled, and in the second - to heat up in order to transfer to the heating circuit;
- add a source of low temperature heat. This may be a geothermal probe, pipeline, ground freezing points or air-type heat pump.
So, we get it complex, consisting of three contours:
- the outer circuit is pipes with circulating antifreeze or other coolant;
- the collector circuit includes a pipeline with built-in heat exchangers, valve and compressor;
- the inner circuit refers to the heating system and hot water.
The whole complex is automatically regulated. Average service life of the heat pump of heating, declared by manufacturers, is about 20 years without repairs. However, physical processes such as friction and wear may be in the way of such long-term use, that do not allow you to use the pump for so long. So, the actual service life of the device is the maximum 10 years.
Pros and cons of a heat pump for the home
main benefits heat pumps for home heating are as follows:
- the efficiency level is higher 300 percent. For every spent 3 kW of electricity is accounted for 6 kW of heat. This figure is relevant not only for expensive designs, but also for homemade heat pumps;
- buying a pump even at an imaginary high price will be a profitable investment for the future;
- safety of the pump application, it does not contain explosives;
-
use only the resources to be filled, no damage to the environment when using the pump;
- ease of operation and low noise;
- the device of the pump for heating of water does not demand reception of permissions from various instances;
- when starting the system in the opposite direction, it can be used in summer as an air conditioner.
The disadvantages of heat pumps are much smaller, than benefits, here is their list:
- too high a price. Ready-made heating system for the house can pay for itself in just ten years;
- in some regions of Russia the efficiency of heat pumps drops sharply when the temperature drops and requires an alternative source of heating the house;
- the use of heat pumps implies compliance with certain conditions for the construction of the house. So, the house must be insulated, the thickness of the insulation should be up to 50 cm;
- if water or soil is used as a heat source, the area of the collector should be many times larger than the area of the house. This area, used under the collector, cannot be used for agricultural purposes;
- road installation.
Heat sources, used for pump operation
As we have already mentioned, that the operation of the heat pump is possible given the use of energy from the ground, water and air. We will tell below, how exactly they interact.
At a depth below the freezing point of the soil, the temperature remains stable regardless of the season. Ground-water pump works as follows:
-
groundwater is taken from one well;
- run through the heat exchanger;
- then they are thrown into a pond or other well;
- choose the area, remove the soil layer;
- lay the hose, covered with an insulating shell, between the contours at least at a distance of one meter from each other;
- cover the soil back and moisten the soil, because in dry form the heat will be given off through the pipes much worse.
Ground source heat pumps have a higher price compared to others, but it is the most effective and durable.
Water can be used as a heat source only there, where there are large reservoirs. The outer contour should be laid on the bottom or in the bottom silt, then it is fixed with a load and locked.
Air is the most accessible source of heat, and we will not need any buildings, because the heat is removed by the outer unit of the pump. The heat exchanger will resemble a radiator with intense fins. A fan is also included with the pump, which provides forced purge. The energy of the air heats the heat carriers or the air inside the house. The temperature limit is 30 degrees below zero, and efficiency is close 3,5 kW of heat per 1 kW of energy.
Heat pumps: prices and review of known models
In the presence of the compressor and some other details the heat pump for the house can be collected and the hands. However, many prefer to buy ready-made models. Below we present an overview of models from the most famous manufacturers and indicate their approximate prices on the market.
Stiebel Eltron pumps
Of the day German company known as one of the leading manufacturers of equipment for engineering systems. And special attention is paid to products, working on renewable sources. The most famous positions of this brand are as follows:
-
air-to-water heat pump, which extracts heat from the air and transfers it to the liquid, located in the heating system. The pump can be installed during new construction of the house or during repair work. If the temperature drops below 20 degrees below zero, it provides heating on the supply line up to 60 degrees of heat. There is a possibility of internal and external installation, and some models are equipped with additional electric heating to increase efficiency or defrost the system;
- brine-water pump. Can work as a cooler, and for heating. Element, which is responsible for extracting heat, called a geothermal probe. Can be completed with one or two expansion tanks, drives, security and management group. Can be installed even in small rooms;
- "Water-water", such a pump runs on groundwater, is of high quality. Most of its elements are made of alloys and stainless steel. All models of this series are equipped with designs of automatic adjustment, they can also be additionally equipped with buffer drives, solar installations, etc..
The price of Stiebel Eltron heat pumps starts from 420 thousand rubles.
Waterkotte model range
Waterkotte products are also made in Germany, the purpose of the company is to produce economical heating systems, that preserve natural resources. Under this brand pumps of such types are issued:
- Air-to-Air and Air-to-Water. These models not only heat and cool water, but also the air in the house. They are resistant to frost, some have a smart interface and can be controlled by installing a special application on your smartphone remotely;
- ground-to-water geothermal pumps are ideal for use in private homes and industrial sites. Horizontal and vertical earth probes are used as thermal assemblies. Management is fully automated, there is a function of remote control via smartphone.
Waterkotte heating systems can last longer 30 years. The device of soil type costs about 480 thousand rubles, and the price of air reaches almost 100 thousand rubles.
Overview of Danfoss heating systems
The Danish company Danfoss has been working in Russia for more than a year 20 years and is engaged in release and sale of Teploavtomatika, refrigeration systems and drive equipment. Heat pumps are one of the relative novelties of this company. In the range of this line are presented models of such types:
-
Air-to-Air. The key equipment is located in the outdoor unit, so the inside of the installation is smaller. The device operates at a temperature of -20 degrees, there is a function of automatic defrosting;
- "Ground-water". These devices can work with ground collectors as a horizontal, and vertical type. They are equipped with an original automation system, there is a function of remote control, the pump can also be additionally equipped with storage tanks for hot water.
Danfoss devices will cost the buyer from 350 thousand rubles.
Thermal devices are perfect for those, who supports nature conservation and chooses technology, working on the basis of replenished natural resources, however, despite its growing popularity, they are still difficult to call full-fledged substitutes for classic heaters. However, they, that they are economical, comfortable and safe, makes them increasingly popular around the world.
