Air Source Heat Pump Carbon Emissions

Many companies looking to reduce carbon emissions and energy bills are turning to heat pumps as a cost-effective alternative to water heating, heating and cooling in busy workplaces. Heat pumps can provide efficient domestic hot water, heating and air conditioning for residential properties, office buildings, clinics, hotels and educational institutions.

Heat pumps are very efficient at supplying hot and cold air or water. Excellent power efficiency is achieved using heat pump technology, and they are often electric, so most systems have no on-site carbon emissions. Let's take a look at how heat pumps work and how their energy-saving properties can help reduce global warming.

What is a heat pump and how does it work?

A heat pump, an electronic device that extracts heat from one place and transfers it to another, has proven to be an efficient way to heat buildings. They absorb heat from the environment and use electricity to raise the temperature to a level suitable for space heating and hot water. Typically 2.5-4 kWh of heat is provided for every kWh of electricity consumed. Heat pumps provide lower temperatures than boilers, so they work well with underfloor heating or radiators with larger surface areas in new buildings.

The most commonly used heat pump is the mechanical heat pump, which is based on the compression and expansion of a working fluid or "refrigerant". This technology transfers heat by circulating a refrigerant through a cycle of evaporation and condensation. A heat pump consists of four main components: evaporator, compressor, condenser and expansion device. The refrigerant is pumped by a compressor between the two heat exchanger coils. In a coil, the refrigerant evaporates at low pressure and absorbs heat from the surroundings. The refrigerant is then compressed on its way to another coil, where it condenses under high pressure. At this point, it releases the heat it absorbed earlier in the cycle.

There is a range of heat pumps on the market and how you choose one depends on several factors such as energy needs, current building heating infrastructure and site characteristics. Heat pumps can be divided into two broad categories: air sources and geothermal (ground sources).

Air source heat pump

An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and operates in reverse like a refrigerator. These heat pumps in residential environments can save more than 2 tons of carbon per year, up to 20% less CO2e than gas boilers, and up to 70% less than electric systems. In addition to providing a heat source in winter, the cycle is fully reversible in summer, allowing the heat pump to provide year-round climate control. If carefully designed and specified for appropriate buildings, this technology can be an effective means of saving money and reducing carbon emissions.

Ground source heat pump

In contrast, ground source heat pumps transfer heat from the ground into the building. The technology requires land available for laying collectors underground - either laterally in trenches or vertically in boreholes. The basic elements of a ground source heat pump system are the heat pump itself, the ground loop and the distribution system. A significant advantage of using a ground source system over an air source equivalent system is a higher coefficient of performance in winter because the ground temperature is higher than the ambient air temperature.

The benefits of heat pumps to decarbonize the planet

Whatever the form, heat pumps can undoubtedly help decarbonize our environment as global energy production becomes more sustainable. Since the efficiency of a heat pump system is dependent on the availability of clean electricity, the "cleanliness" of the power source or "grid" serving the site is an important consideration when using heat pumps solely for decarbonization reasons. Check out our recent blog post on electrification here.

According to a new analysis by the American Council on an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), upgrading gas-fired heaters in office properties with high-efficiency electric heat pumps alone can reduce overall emissions by more than 44 percent if the grid is low-carbon.

Benefits of Heat Pumps for Commercial Buildings

Heat pumps are increasingly used in commercial, institutional and residential buildings such as schools, sports facilities, shops, offices, apartments and even homes. Simplicity, large area and affordability are all advantages of using heat pumps in indoor areas. Since there is usually no furnace or boiler, the process is simple and clean. Even if a supplemental heating system requires a gas boiler, the use of heat pumps and efficient (95%+) modular boilers can make a building an energy and carbon leader.

1. Improve energy efficiency

By providing buildings with low or no carbon heating mechanisms and heat pumps, you can improve the performance characteristics of your buildings and demonstrate your sustainability to stakeholders. The modular and versatile heat pump design enables efficient regulation at all times, regardless of the size of the heating or cooling load, reducing energy costs and improving environmental impact studies.

Multiple ground source wells and water source heat pumps can provide active or passive cooling and heating for buildings of any size, making low-carbon, low-energy air conditioning more economical and environmentally friendly without a significant impact on your wallet. The energy efficiency of the system will quickly pay for any additional upfront costs.

2. Reduce operating costs

Regardless of the initial cost of implementing a heat pump system, you can save on long-term energy bills if you currently use electricity, fuel oil, propane or natural gas to condition your building. When properly designed and installed, heat pump systems do not require any added ongoing maintenance and can last 10 to 25 years. A normal filter change, in the case of a water source heat pump, still requires water treatment, but the energy is almost maintenance-free.

In heating mode, the heat pump can generate 2 to 4 kWh of heating power for every 1 kWh of electricity consumed, which is 200% to 400% more efficient than resistance heating. While the cost of installing a heat pump varies depending on the size and complexity of the project, there is no denying the significant energy savings that can be made.

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While heat pumps may not be for everyone, they represent a modern and cost-effective solution that can reduce your energy costs and carbon footprint.

If you need help choosing a high-efficiency heat pump for your facility, consider Leomon. We can help you choose the most cost-effective solution for your construction needs.