AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP
EFFICIENT IN TOUGH CONDITIONS
When someone mentions heat pumps, air source heat pump often spring to mind, for good reasons – these systems are widely deployed and suitable for both new build and renovation systems in existing buildings, they can be installed at low cost without civil works. To ensure efficient and reliable operation of the air source heat pumps, several conditions must be met which are explained in more detail below.
AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS – HEATING WITH AMBIENT AIR
The basic principles of an air source heat pump explained quickly and simply:
A fan draws outdoor air through a heat exchange evaporator, causing the refrigerant in the heat pump to (warm up) evaporate. Within the heat pump circuit, this is brought to a higher temperature by compression, making energy suitable for space heating and domestic hot water heating. Air available in unlimited amounts, can vary in temperature and humidity . The Ochsner sophisticated and highly efficient horizontal air to water heat pump captures energy from humidity in damp climate without freezing up, sub-zero outdoor temperatures are of little consequence. Outdoor temperature slightly higher than the boiling point of the refrigerant is good. In high humid climates the Ochsner horizontal energy evaporator delivers outstanding performance simply separating humidity into water and energy for the house.
- Bespoke solutions ideal for new build and renovation projects
- Hybrid upgrade combined to existing boilers or solar thermal systems
- Water heated to 65 °c by heat pump for heating radiators and hot water
- Low investment, fast payback, saving generated annually over system life
- Ochsner offer the lowest running costs for high comfort delivered
- Straightforward installation to bespoke diagram with on site support
- Environmentally responsible heating with peace of mind
SLIGHTLY LESS EFFICIENT
BUT VERY INEXPENSIVE TO INSTALL
Air source heat pumps can operate at low efficiently and high running cost using electrical elements in cold winter months, which is unnecessary. The Ochsner air super split horizontal heat pump system delivers a higher season efficiency than geothermal in countries with high humidity. This is down to lower drive energy required for heat pump operation by the super split at lower outdoor temperatures without icing over. Ochsner Air solve this problem by allowing process water immediately fall to the ground on releasing its energy, in excessive humidity or rain condition the Ochsner fan changes direction and drives excess water out of the evaporator onto the ground without stopping the heat pump operation.
TAKING NOISE EMISSIONS INTO ACCOUNT
FANS GENERATE NOISE
Noise levels; this depends very much on the air source technology used. Inexpensive modular appliances, in particular, can be extremely noisy and create a nuisance to neighbours. The OCHSNER table type evaporators are horizontally mounted with extremely quiet modulating fans and silent mode. In addition to this, the OCHSNER Air Eagle air source heat pump with table evaporator is equipped with inverter technology. This means that the compressor output and fan speed can be variably adjusted to the current heat demand. This results in significantly more efficient heat pumps, the fan changes direction to clear water, prevents icing and operates quieter. With special silent mode, the system reduced further, at specific times, to subdue noise level. Sound attenuation is standard in outdoor panel sections. Before building your Ochsner air source heat pump, it is advisable to gather detailed information on permissible noise emissions, minimum distance from neighbours, etc. an OCHSNER system partner, will be delighted to help.
HOT GAS DEFROSTING
FOR RELIABLE OPERATION
At temperatures below +5 °C and with high humidity, icing can occur on the evaporator due to condensing moisture. This results in the heat collection transfer to the refrigerant dropping or being interrupted. To prevent this, the OCHSNER horizontal (table like) evaporators are equipped with hot gas defrosting. This works on the principle of hot gas from the compressor being fed back briefly to the evaporator to melt the ice, instantly loosing its grip even in freezing fog conditions and falling vertically to the ground to deliver full performance at all times.
STRAIGHTFORWARD TO INSTALL
FLEXIBLE AND EASY TO HANDLE
Regardless of which version the owner or developer decides on, a significant benefit of air source heat pumps is their simple and economic installation. When it comes to location and installation, these systems are designed to be flexible and easy to handle. The indoor units fit into one square meter and can therefore be easily located in a cellar. The outdoor units can be installed in the garden but also, for example, on top of a garage, carport or flat roof. Apart from observing minimum clearances and noise protection regulations, special planning permission is not required. Air source heat pumps are an economically interesting alternative, particularly for modern houses with low heat demand, and ideally suited for renovating projects on sites that have mature gardens which should not be disturbed, or where ground and groundwater cannot be accessed efficiently. Heat pump systems can be used not just for heating but also for cooling in summer, the heat pump process is simply reversed – the heat pump removes heat from the house and expels it to outside via the evaporator.
CALCULATE
THE EFFICIENCY OF THE AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP CAREFULLY IN ADVANCE
Extensive consultation with an expert should always take place before deciding on an air source heat pump. How efficiently the system will operate in practice depends on many factors, about which an OCHSNER system partner can give you detailed information. One crucial variable is the Seasonal Performance Factor (SPF) which must be calculated individually in each case. In general, OCHSNER systems are characterised by high operational reliability and low noise emissions. Air source heat pumps regularly achieve best marks in tests carried out by the Buchs heat pump centre in Switzerland. Currently, the OCHSNER Air Eagle is the most efficient variable speed air source heat pump in the world. It is, therefore, an environmentally sound and reliable all rounder that can be employed in a wide range of applications.
Full Range of Heat Pumps
To see the full range of pumps, click on the link to the right