Air-to-water Heat Pumps For Central Heating
Air-to-water heat pumps can serve as a great alternative to conventional boiler heated systems.
An air source heat pump system generates heat energy from the surrounding air using a similar principle to a refrigerator, but in reverse. While a refrigerator conducts the warm air outside, an air-water heat pump brings the heat from the ambient air into your rooms.
Thanks to their highly effective and efficient design, these solutions can generate heat even when the temperature outside is a low as -20°C.
As well as providing warmth during the colder months, air-to-water heat pumps can serve as cooling systems during the summer. With an air-to-water heat pump cooling system, you’ll benefit from a versatile solution that can help you to enjoy comfort at home throughout the year.
CAN RADIATORS BE USED WITH HEAT PUMPS
Radiators work well with geothermal and air-to-water heat pumps when they are sized to the flow temperature.
They can heat only, or heat and cool when you use fan-driven models (Briza and hybrids).
Most hydronic heat pumps are most efficient at lower water temperatures — typically around 35–55°C — compared with a gas or diesel boiler at around 70–80°C. Some R290 units can run higher, up to about 75°C, but efficiency drops as flow temperature rises.
At 50°C flow, a normal steel panel delivers less than half the output it would at 75°C. To keep the same comfort you need a larger radiator, or a Low-H₂O / fan-assisted radiator designed for low temperature.
We supply radiators and underfloor systems specified for heat-pump flow temperatures.
IS IT RIGHT FOR MY HOME
If you decide to go ahead with an air source heat pump installation, it’s essential that you choose the right size system to meet your heating and hot water needs.
Air-to-water heat pump sizes range up to 20kW, which is adequate for most NZ homes. Larger homes or commercial applications tend to require higher output and may require cascade operation or another form of heat generation such as a hybrid gas boiler/heat pump system to meet requirements.
Building heat loss calculations are required for heat pump installations. The better your property is at retaining heat, the less warmth you’ll need to generate.
Your heat distribution system will have an impact too. Air-to-water heat pumps perform best when connected to low temperature heat emitters, such as floor heating systems or our radiators designed for use with heat pumps.
If you will be relying on traditional radiators instead, they will need to be much larger than you would use with a traditional gas or oil boiler system.