Countless coverage has been dedicated to domestic air source heat pumps across news and social media platforms, some of it with a negative bias.  There’s the high cost in comparison to a gas boiler, the difficulties of retrofitting heat pumps into older, poorly insulated properties, plus a lack of skilled installers.  But whilst the media storm rages, larger heat pumps designed for commercial properties are being successfully installed across the UK, delivering heat and, step by step, transitioning us towards decarbonisation.

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Are commercial heat pumps different to domestic ones?

All air source heat pumps work on the same principal of using a refrigeration cycle to transfer heat from external air and using it for heating and in some cases, hot water within a building.

To explain in more detail: a fan passes ambient air over extremely cold liquid refrigerant.  The refrigerant captures the heat from the ambient air and becomes a warm vapour.  That vapour passes through a compressor which produces hot refrigerant.  The heat in the hot refrigerant is then transferred to the heating and hot water system through a heat exchanger.  After the heat is transferred the refrigerant passes through an expansion valve which reduces its temperature, making it really cold again and enabling it to capture heat from the ambient air, continuing the cycle. 

Even when it’s very cold outside, down to minus 20°C a heat pump will still work and will still deliver heat, although at minus external air temperature figures it does have to work harder and is therefore less efficient.

Both domestic and commercial heat pumps work in this same way, but with commercial heat pumps the units are understandably larger and more powerful.

Where can commercial heat pumps be used?

Commercial heat pumps have a wide range of commercial and industrial applications, including new build, refurbishment and retro-fit:

• Schools 
• Retail premises
• Warehouses 
• Office blocks 
• Leisure facilities
• Apartment buildings (including those operating a heat network or district heating)
• Sites requiring low GWP (Global Warming Potential)
• Clients with net zero commitments
• Buildings with Part L requirements

Any commercial building can benefit from a heat pump as long as it has effective insulation, external space for the heat pump unit, and the unit is correctly sized, as well as having access to a sufficient electrical supply.  Thermal insulation is key here as without it the system will need to overcompensate to maintain a steady temperature.

Another important consideration, is the radiators. Heat pumps operate at lower temperatures to gas boilers, so ideally larger radiators are required to get the best efficiency from the heat pump and to effectively heat the building.  This may mean replacing the radiators, which is a cost that needs to be factored in.

What are the benefits of a heat pump for commercial buildings?

Heat pumps have many benefits when it comes to commercial properties.  Let’s look at each of these in turn:

1. Heat pumps are very energy efficient.  Heat pumps can be up to 500% more efficient than traditional boilers.  That means they can operate up to almost five times more efficiently, and have the potential to produce up to five units of heat for every one unit of electricity that they use.
2. Heat pumps produce renewable heat.  Heat pumps utilise the free energy in the air to heat water in your heating system.  The heat from the air is transferred rather than generated.  When they are partnered with a renewable electricity supplier, heat generation is 100% carbon neutral.
3. Heat pumps have significantly reduced carbon emissions.  Heat pumps use a small amount of electricity to power the transfer of heat from the environment to the building, and as a result emit no direct CO2 compared to traditional gas boilers or direct electric appliances. It is estimated that this reduction in carbon emissions is around 65-70% in commercial buildings.
4. Heat Pumps require little maintenance.  Heat pumps are a closed loop system and rarely require maintenance.  When installed correctly, a commercial heat pump system can easily last for several years.

Ideal Heating’s range of ECOMOD monobloc air source heat pumps have been specifically designed for use in commercial applications.  They are available in a choice of refrigerants – R32, R290 and R744 – and can be used alone or cascaded to meet the heating requirements of larger buildings. Each model in the range will suit commercial situations more than others, whilst also combining with alternative Ideal products, such as the EVOMAX 2 and the IMAX XTRA 2 commercial condensing boilers, to build a low carbon hybrid heating system.

Unveiling the Magic: A Detailed Look at How Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps Work

Commercial air source heat pumps (ASHPs) might seem like futuristic contraptions, but they rely on well-established scientific principles.

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This guide empowers your business to make informed decisions about commercial ASHPs, perfect for UK businesses seeking to slash heating costs and embrace sustainability. Explore the intricate dance of physics and learn how ASHPs extract heat from thin air, even in chilly UK temperatures, to keep your building warm and comfortable.

Discover the key components, the heat transfer process, and factors impacting efficiency, whilst focusing on the key details to help you decide if a commercial air source heat pump is right for your company.

How does a Commercial Air Source Heat Pump work?

The Heat Transfer Tango Explained

1. Heat Absorption
   The outdoor fan draws in cool air, which passes over the evaporator coil. The refrigerant inside the coil, being at a lower temperature than the air, absorbs heat from the air, causing the refrigerant to evaporate (turn into gas).

2. Compression Magic
   The low-pressure refrigerant gas is then drawn into the compressor. The compressor squeezes the gas, significantly increasing its pressure and temperature. Imagine compressing a spring; the smaller it gets, the more energy it stores.

3. Heat Release
   The high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant gas travels to the condenser coil located indoors. This hot gas transfers its heat to the building's heating system via a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger acts like a bridge, transferring the heat from the refrigerant to the water or air that circulates throughout your building, keeping you warm.

4. Rejuvenation
   The now cooler, high-pressure refrigerant liquid flows through the expansion valve. This valve rapidly reduces the pressure, causing the refrigerant to expand (turn back into gas) again. This expansion process absorbs heat from the surrounding environment (a small amount, but it helps!), further lowering the refrigerant's temperature and preparing it to pick up more heat from the outside air.

5. The Cycle Continues
   The cooled, low-pressure refrigerant then flows back to the evaporator coil, ready to repeat the cycle and absorb more heat from the outside air.

While the core components mentioned above are essential, there are other players behind the scenes that contribute to overall efficiency. Thermistors, for instance, meticulously monitor refrigerant temperature, and the control board acts as the brain of the operation, ensuring the desired output is achieved.

Commercial heat pumps are temperature warriors! They can wrestle heat from the air even in minuscule temperatures – air source heat pumps can generate heat as low as -20°C – perfect for the UK climate! Conversely, they can also be champions at creating heat at extremely high temperatures. This impressive feat is achieved because of the low boiling point of the refrigerant gases used.

Heat Pumps: Experts at Efficiency 

Generally, commercial heat pumps are energy misers – they use less energy to operate than they output in heat energy, making them extremely efficient. However, it's important to consider the temperature lift required (the difference between the outside air temperature and the desired indoor temperature). When this lift is substantial, for instance, in situations with significant space heating or hot water needs, the efficiency (COP or SCOP) can decrease. This is why heat pumps often perform best with low-temperature distribution systems like underfloor heating, and their performance can suffer when supplying high-temperature heat for traditional hot water systems.