Selection of a heat pump for a heating system based on radiators

What heat pump choose a central heating system based on traditional radiators building? Can replacing a conventional boiler be economically effective? And when to modernize heating using air heat pumps will it make sense? You will learn about all this in our article.

Replacing a boiler fired with traditional fuel (e.g. coal or wood) with a heating with a heat pump air water allows not only lower heating costs, but also has a positive impact on the environment because heat pumps are a device using renewable energy sources. However, it is worth emphasizing that heat pump operation will only be effective if the building is properly insulated and works with an appropriate overhead heat source. If you plan heating with a heat pump home and at the same time you do not intend to replace the existing central heating installation, does such a replacement make sense? Will it help reduce heating costs? building? 

Heat pump used for heating based on traditional radiators

Many people planning to exchange heat sources more and more often considers purchasing a home air water heat pump and connecting it to traditional radiators. Such plans are usually dictated by the desire to reduce the costs associated with general renovation or the lack of technical possibilities to change heating system building (this mainly concerns the structural strength of the floor, walls and ceilings). 

Before we answer this question, let's first take a look at how it works heat pump. This device uses the energy accumulated in the air, which it transforms into thermal energythat is transferred to the water circulating in the central heating system. Heat pumps are powered by electricity, but even if they draw entirely from the socket, they emit less greenhouse gases than traditional gas or coal-powered boilers, thus ensuring clean Air around building. utilization thermal energy accumulated in the air allows you to reduce electricity and heating bills. 

Which heat pump for traditional radiators?

Czy heat pump can it power central heating based on traditional radiators? Of course. This is due to the fact that in this solution the upper source is the water heating installation, so it can be successfully connected to radiators, heat pump. Importantly, both aluminum and cast iron radiators. However, the connection air heat pumps for such an installation in building it won't be effective. Why? Heat pumps are modern, but low-temperature heat sourceswhile traditional radiators for proper heat exchange in the room they require that temperature of water heating it was between 60 and 75 degrees C. So the question is how to choose a heat pump for radiators is correct, but subject to several conditions. 

Which radiators are suitable for a heat pump? use? To guarantee adequate heat compensation by heat pump radiator powered by water at a temperature lower than that offered by traditional high-temperature boilers heat sources, its surface should be increased. How much to oversize heat pump radiators? Assurance large area heating in low-temperature heating is crucial for proper heating the building. How to count size heat pump radiatorsto ensure proper heating? The heat demand of a given room should be taken into account, heat pump operating power and its operational effectiveness. note also on the type of installation used and the degree of its insulation. It is worth adding that after calculating all the parameters, it may turn out that in order to maintain the appropriate temperature in the room, it will be necessary to double or even triple the surface area of ​​the radiators. 

Heat pump — solutions other than heaters 

There is central heating in the house works best as heat pump connection  with surface heating. However, this is not the only way to use energy saving heat pumps. If technical conditions building or financial reasons do not allow the use of surface heating using heat pumps can be successfully used low-temperature radiators or fan coils. 

Surface heating

Surface heating is an increasingly popular way of heating rooms. To obtain good results, it requires a large surface that will emit heat. Such heating system based on a heat pump works perfectly with low-temperature heat sources - incl heat pumps. The advantage of surface heating is: building there is also high thermal inertia. It makes that heat pump operation will be thinner, so the device will wear less. 

As part of surface heating optimal solution jest floor heating. However, this technology also allows for the use of wall or ceiling heating. 

It is worth emphasizing that both floor heating, as well as ceiling heating using heat pumps requires a suitably durable ceiling structure building, which must support the weight of the additional layer. In turn, wall heating is limited by the type of furniture (walls with heating panels cannot be covered) and the room is slightly smaller. 

Low-temperature radiators for a heat pump

They are a solution for facilities where underfloor heating cannot be used low-temperature radiators. Heat pumps in such a system require a larger heating surface of radiators. This affects obtaining a satisfactory job heat pumps. However, it is worth emphasizing that the application heat pumps for low-temperature radiators does not require general renovation building and gives opportunity connecting the heat pump to the existing installation. 

Fan coils

In the central system home heating powered air heat pump fan coil units will also work well. It is an excellent alternative to low-temperature radiators and surface heating. The advantage of fan coil units powered by heat pumps air circulation around the heat exchanger fins is forced using fans. In this way, heat is distributed faster and the expected air temperature is achieved in a shorter time. Moreover, fan coil units are equipped with a drip tray and a condensate drainage system, so they can also be used as air conditioners. As a result, fan coil units can be used not only during the heating season, but also in summer room cooling. 

The undoubted advantage of fan coil units is the flexible installation of these devices. There are not only models available on the market that can be installed on walls, as well traditional radiators, but also floor, channel and cassette devices. 

For a satisfying one heat pump operation it's worth it heat pump installation w building use the help of an experienced company specializing in such central heating installations. Right heat pump selection will guarantee high system efficiency home heating and its energy efficiency. Also note that heat pumps, apart from heating the house, they can be used for preparation of domestic hot water.

To sum up - Will a heat pump heat a house with radiators?? Yes, if you apply low-temperature radiators or you significantly oversize, i.e. increase the surface of the radiators. However, it is better if in addition heat pump radiators you will also connect a surface heating system, for example floor heating. This optimal solutionunder which the central heating system in the house will be most effective.