ᐅ Is an air source heat pump sufficient for a harsh winter in the Black Forest?
Created on: 29 Dec 2015 15:16
J
Jackie
Hello,
we are just starting the planning phase for a KfW55 prefabricated house, and our builder recommends an air-source heat pump for heating, specifically a "Stiebel Eltron LWZ 304 Trend."
The house will be built in two parts and will have approximately 140m² (1,507 sq ft) of living space. Additionally, we plan to install a pellet stove in the living-dining area on the first floor, which will be directly fed with pellets to provide an additional decentralized heat source.
My question is: Is such an air-source heat pump solution sufficient during cold winters in the Black Forest, when temperatures drop to around -25°C (-13°F)? What are your general experiences? Our builder praises the advantages of the air-source heat pump, but for me this is new territory, so some input would be very helpful.
we are just starting the planning phase for a KfW55 prefabricated house, and our builder recommends an air-source heat pump for heating, specifically a "Stiebel Eltron LWZ 304 Trend."
The house will be built in two parts and will have approximately 140m² (1,507 sq ft) of living space. Additionally, we plan to install a pellet stove in the living-dining area on the first floor, which will be directly fed with pellets to provide an additional decentralized heat source.
My question is: Is such an air-source heat pump solution sufficient during cold winters in the Black Forest, when temperatures drop to around -25°C (-13°F)? What are your general experiences? Our builder praises the advantages of the air-source heat pump, but for me this is new territory, so some input would be very helpful.
B
Bauexperte30 Dec 2015 21:22**Heating Capacity and Power Consumption of the Electric Heating Element
Typically, in the low to medium power range, such as for heating single-family homes, an air-to-water heat pump is designed to operate monoenergetically. This means that from a certain outdoor temperature, an electric heating element supports the heat pump or completely takes over the heating. This enables air-to-water heat pumps to operate down to outdoor temperatures of -20°C (−4°F).
Therefore, an air-to-water heat pump is not designed based on the standard design temperature point (e.g., a minimum outdoor temperature of -16°C (3°F)), but rather according to the bivalence point (e.g., -5°C (23°F)). This reduces the required heating capacity of the air-to-water heat pump but also increases the power consumption of the heat pump due to the electric auxiliary heater. The required capacity of the electric heating element is determined by the difference between the heating demand and the heat pump's heating output at the standard design temperature point.
In general, the electric heating element has a capacity of around 50 - 60 percent of the needed heating capacity. Although the share of the electric heating element’s capacity is relatively large, the operating share of the heating element is only about 2 - 7 percent of the total annual heating work, since outdoor temperatures fall below the bivalence point on only a few days of the year.
**Source: Energie Experten
Best regards, Bauexperte
Typically, in the low to medium power range, such as for heating single-family homes, an air-to-water heat pump is designed to operate monoenergetically. This means that from a certain outdoor temperature, an electric heating element supports the heat pump or completely takes over the heating. This enables air-to-water heat pumps to operate down to outdoor temperatures of -20°C (−4°F).
Therefore, an air-to-water heat pump is not designed based on the standard design temperature point (e.g., a minimum outdoor temperature of -16°C (3°F)), but rather according to the bivalence point (e.g., -5°C (23°F)). This reduces the required heating capacity of the air-to-water heat pump but also increases the power consumption of the heat pump due to the electric auxiliary heater. The required capacity of the electric heating element is determined by the difference between the heating demand and the heat pump's heating output at the standard design temperature point.
In general, the electric heating element has a capacity of around 50 - 60 percent of the needed heating capacity. Although the share of the electric heating element’s capacity is relatively large, the operating share of the heating element is only about 2 - 7 percent of the total annual heating work, since outdoor temperatures fall below the bivalence point on only a few days of the year.
**Source: Energie Experten
Best regards, Bauexperte
E
ErikErdgas10 Feb 2016 15:28Hello,
Overall, the energy concept should be examined more thoroughly. KfW 55, air-source heat pump, and pellet heating—this does not sound like a coherent plan and likely involves high investment costs. The basis should be compliance with the energy saving ordinance, a heating load calculation, as well as consideration of the available budget and user behavior. For independent advice, the builder is not the right contact. You should get in touch with an energy consultant, for example through consumer advice centers or the offerings from DENA (Energy Efficiency Expert List).
Best regards, Erik
Overall, the energy concept should be examined more thoroughly. KfW 55, air-source heat pump, and pellet heating—this does not sound like a coherent plan and likely involves high investment costs. The basis should be compliance with the energy saving ordinance, a heating load calculation, as well as consideration of the available budget and user behavior. For independent advice, the builder is not the right contact. You should get in touch with an energy consultant, for example through consumer advice centers or the offerings from DENA (Energy Efficiency Expert List).
Best regards, Erik
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