Heating a country house using a heat pump. The principle of operation of heat pumps for heating a house

The situation is such that the most popular way to heat a home at the moment is the use of heating boilers - gas, solid fuel, diesel and much less often - electric. But such simple and at the same time high-tech systems as heat pumps have not become widespread, and for good reason. For those who love and know how to calculate everything in advance, their advantages are obvious. Heat pumps for heating do not burn irreplaceable reserves of natural resources, which is extremely important not only from the point of view of environmental protection, but also allows you to save on energy, as they become more expensive every year. In addition, with the help of heat pumps you can not only heat the room, but also heat hot water for household needs, and air condition the room in the summer heat.

Operating principle of a heat pump

Let's take a closer look at the principle of operation of a heat pump. Remember how a refrigerator works. The heat of the products placed in it is pumped out and thrown onto the radiator located on the rear wall. You can easily verify this by touching it. The principle of household air conditioners is approximately the same: they pump out heat from the room and throw it onto a radiator located on the outer wall of the building.

The operation of a heat pump, refrigerator and air conditioner is based on the Carnot cycle.

1. The coolant, moving along a source of low-temperature heat, for example, soil, heats up by several degrees.
2. It then enters a heat exchanger called an evaporator. In the evaporator, the coolant releases the accumulated heat to the refrigerant. Refrigerant is a special liquid that turns into steam at low temperatures.
3. Taking on the temperature from the coolant, the heated refrigerant turns into steam and enters the compressor. The compressor compresses the refrigerant, i.e. an increase in its pressure, due to which its temperature also increases.
4. The hot, compressed refrigerant enters another heat exchanger called a condenser. Here the refrigerant transfers its heat to another coolant, which is provided in the heating system of the house (water, antifreeze, air). This cools the refrigerant and turns it back into liquid.
5. Next, the refrigerant enters the evaporator, where it is heated by a new portion of the heated coolant, and the cycle repeats.

The heat pump requires electricity to operate. But it is still much more profitable than using only an electric heater. Since an electric boiler or electric heater spends exactly the same amount of electricity as it produces heat. For example, if a heater has a power rating of 2 kW, then it spends 2 kW per hour and produces 2 kW of heat. A heat pump produces 3 to 7 times more heat than it consumes electricity. For example, 5.5 kW/hour is used to operate the compressor and pump, and the heat produced is 17 kW/hour. It is this high efficiency that is the main advantage of a heat pump.

Advantages and disadvantages of the heat pump heating system

There are many legends and misconceptions surrounding heat pumps, despite the fact that they are not such an innovative or high-tech invention. All “warm” states in the USA, almost all of Europe and Japan, where the technology has been worked out almost to perfection for a long time, are heated with the help of heat pumps. By the way, you should not think that such equipment is a purely foreign technology and came to us quite recently. After all, back in the USSR such units were used at experimental facilities. An example of this is the Druzhba sanatorium in the city of Yalta. In addition to the futuristic architecture, reminiscent of a “hut on chicken legs,” this sanatorium is also famous for the fact that since the 80s of the 20th century it has used industrial heat pumps for heating. The source of heat is the nearby sea, and the pumping station itself not only heats all the premises of the sanatorium, but also provides hot water, heats the water in the pool and cools it during the hot season. So let's try to dispel the myths and determine whether it makes sense to heat your home in this way.

Advantages of heating systems with a heat pump:

• Energy savings. In connection with rising prices for gas and diesel fuel, this is a very relevant advantage. In the “monthly expenses” column, only electricity will appear, which, as we have already written, requires much less than the heat actually produced. When purchasing a unit, you need to pay attention to such a parameter as the heat transformation coefficient “ϕ” (may also be called the heat conversion coefficient, power or temperature transformation coefficient). It shows the ratio of the amount of heat output to the energy expended. For example, if ϕ=4, then at a consumption of 1 kW/hour we will receive 4 kW/hour of thermal energy.
• Maintenance savings. The heat pump does not require any special treatment. Its maintenance costs are minimal.
• Can be installed in any location. Sources of low-temperature heat for the operation of a heat pump can be soil, water or air. Wherever you build a house, even in a rocky area, there will always be an opportunity to find “food” for the unit. In areas remote from the gas main, this is one of the most optimal heating systems. And even in regions without power lines, you can install a gasoline or diesel engine to ensure the operation of the compressor.
• No need to monitor pump operation, add fuel, as is the case with a solid fuel or diesel boiler. The entire heating system with heat pump is automated.
• You can go away for a long time and not be afraid that the system will freeze. At the same time, you can save money by installing the pump to ensure a temperature of +10 °C in the living room.
• Safe for the environment. For comparison, when using traditional boilers that burn fuel, various oxides CO, CO2, NOx, SO2, PbO2 are always formed, as a result, phosphoric, nitrous, sulfuric acids and benzoic compounds settle around the house on the soil. When the heat pump operates, nothing is emitted. And the refrigerants used in the system are absolutely safe.
• It can also be noted here conservation of the planet's irreplaceable natural resources.
• Safety for people and property. Nothing in a heat pump gets hot enough to cause overheating or explosion. Besides, there is simply nothing to explode in it. So it can be classified as a completely fireproof unit.
• Heat pumps operate successfully even at an ambient temperature of -15 °C. So if someone thinks that such a system can only heat a house in regions with warm winters up to +5 °C, then they are mistaken.
• Heat pump reversibility. An undeniable advantage is the versatility of the installation, with which you can heat in winter and cool in summer. On hot days, the heat pump takes heat from the room and sends it to the ground for storage, from where it will be taken back in the winter. Please note that not all heat pumps have reverse capability, but only some models.
• Durability. With proper care, heat pumps in a heating system can last from 25 to 50 years without major repairs, and only once every 15 to 20 years will the compressor need to be replaced.

Disadvantages of heat pump heating systems:

• Large initial investment. In addition to the fact that prices for heat pumps for heating are quite high (from 3,000 to 10,000 USD), you will also need to spend no less on the installation of a geothermal system than on the pump itself. An exception is the air source heat pump, which does not require additional work. The heat pump will not pay for itself soon (in 5 - 10 years). So the answer to the question of whether or not to use a heat pump for heating rather depends on the preferences of the owner, his financial capabilities and construction conditions. For example, in a region where supplying a gas main and connecting to it costs the same as a heat pump, it makes sense to give preference to the latter.

• In regions where winter temperatures drop below -15 °C, additional heat source must be used. It is called bivalent heating system, in which the heat pump provides heat while the street is down to -20 ° C, and when it cannot cope, for example, an electric heater or a gas boiler, or a heat generator is connected.

• It is most advisable to use a heat pump in systems with low-temperature coolant, such as "warm floor" system(+35 °C) and fan coil units(+35 - +45 °C). Fan coil units They are a fan convector in which heat/cold is transferred from water to air. To install such a system in an old house, a complete redevelopment and reconstruction will be required, which will entail additional costs. This is not a disadvantage when building a new home.
• Environmental friendliness of heat pumps, taking heat from water and soil, somewhat relative. The fact is that during operation, the space around the coolant pipes cools, and this disrupts the established ecosystem. After all, even in the depths of the soil, anaerobic microorganisms live, ensuring the vital activity of more complex systems. On the other hand, compared to gas or oil production, the damage from a heat pump is minimal.

Heat sources for heat pump operation

Heat pumps take heat from those natural sources that accumulate solar radiation during the warm period. Heat pumps vary depending on the heat source.

Priming

Soil is the most stable source of heat that accumulates over the season. At a depth of 5 - 7 m, the soil temperature is almost always constant and equal to approximately +5 - +8 ° C, and at a depth of 10 m it is always constant +10 ° C. There are two ways to collect heat from the ground.

Horizontal ground collector It is a horizontally laid pipe through which coolant circulates. The depth of the horizontal collector is calculated individually depending on the conditions, sometimes it is 1.5 - 1.7 m - the depth of soil freezing, sometimes lower - 2 - 3 m to ensure greater temperature stability and less difference, and sometimes only 1 - 1.2 m - here the soil begins to warm up faster in the spring. There are cases when a two-layer horizontal collector is installed.

Horizontal collector pipes can have different diameters: 25 mm, 32 mm and 40 mm. The shape of their layout can also be different - snake, loop, zigzag, various spirals. The distance between the pipes in the snake must be at least 0.6 m, and is usually 0.8 - 1 m.

Specific heat removal per linear meter of pipe depends on the soil structure:

• Dry sand - 10 W/m;
• Dry clay - 20 W/m;
• Clay is wetter - 25 W/m;
• Clay with a very high water content - 35 W/m.

To heat a house with an area of ​​100 m2, provided that the soil is wet clay, you will need 400 m2 of land area for the collector. This is quite a lot - 4 - 5 acres. And taking into account the fact that there should be no buildings on this site and only a lawn and flower beds with annual flowers are allowed, not everyone can afford to equip a horizontal collector.

A special liquid flows through the collector pipes, it is also called "brine" or antifreeze, for example, a 30% solution of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. The “brine” collects the heat from the ground and is sent to the heat pump, where it transfers it to the refrigerant. The cooled “brine” flows again into the ground collector.

Vertical soil probe is a system of pipes buried to 50 - 150 m. This can be just one U-shaped pipe, lowered to a greater depth of 80 - 100 m and filled with concrete mortar. Or maybe a system of U-shaped pipes lowered 20 m to collect energy from a larger area. Carrying out drilling work to a depth of 100 - 150 m is not only expensive, but also requires obtaining a special permit, which is why they often resort to cunning and equip several probes of shallow depth. The distance between such probes is 5 - 7 m.

Specific heat removal from a vertical collector also depends on the rock:

• Dry sedimentary rocks - 20 W/m;
• Sedimentary rocks saturated with water and rocky soil - 50 W/m;
• Rocky soil with a high thermal conductivity coefficient - 70 W/m;
• Underground (groundwater) water - 80 W/m.

The area required for a vertical collector is very small, but the cost of their installation is higher than that of a horizontal collector. The advantage of a vertical collector is also a more stable temperature and greater heat removal.

Water

Water can be used as a heat source in different ways.

Collector at the bottom of an open, non-freezing reservoir- rivers, lakes, seas - represents pipes with “brine”, submerged with the help of a weight. Due to the high temperature of the coolant, this method is the most profitable and economical. Only those from whom the reservoir is located no further than 50 m can install a water collector, otherwise the efficiency of the installation is lost. As you understand, not everyone has such conditions. But not using heat pumps for coastal residents is simply short-sighted and stupid.

Collector in sewer drains or waste water from technical installations can be used for heating houses and even high-rise buildings and industrial enterprises within the city, as well as for preparing hot water. What is being done successfully in some cities of our Motherland.

Well or ground water used less frequently than other collectors. Such a system involves the construction of two wells, water is taken from one, which transfers its heat to the refrigerant in the heat pump, and cooled water is discharged into the second. Instead of a well, there may be a filtration well. In any case, the discharge well should be located at a distance of 15 - 20 m from the first one, and even downstream (groundwater also has its own flow). This system is quite difficult to operate, since the quality of the incoming water must be monitored - filtered, and protected from corrosion and contamination of the heat pump parts (evaporator).

Air

The simplest design is heating system with air source heat pump. No additional collector is needed. Air from the environment directly enters the evaporator, where it transfers its heat to the refrigerant, which in turn transfers heat to the coolant inside the house. This could be air for fan coil units or water for underfloor heating and radiators.

The installation costs of an air source heat pump are minimal, but the performance of the installation is highly dependent on the air temperature. In regions with warm winters (up to +5 - 0 °C) this is one of the most economical sources of heat. But if the air temperature drops below -15 °C, the performance drops so much that it makes no sense to use the pump, and it is more profitable to turn on a conventional electric heater or boiler.

Reviews on air source heat pumps for heating are very contradictory. It all depends on the region of their use. They are advantageous to use in regions with warm winters, for example, in Sochi, where there is no need for a backup heat source in case of severe frosts. It is also possible to install air source heat pumps in regions where the air is relatively dry and the temperature in winter is down to -15 °C. But in humid and cold climates, such installations suffer from icing and freezing. Icicles sticking to the fan prevent the entire system from working properly.

Heating with a heat pump: system cost and operating costs

The power of the heat pump is selected depending on the functions that will be assigned to it. If only heating, then calculations can be made in a special calculator that takes into account the heat losses of the building. By the way, the best performance of a heat pump is when the heat loss of the building is no more than 80 - 100 W/m2. For simplicity, we assume that to heat a house of 100 m2 with ceilings 3 m high and heat loss of 60 W/m2, a pump with a power of 10 kW is needed. To heat water, you will have to take a unit with a power reserve - 12 or 16 kW.

Heat pump cost depends not only on power, but also on reliability and the manufacturer’s requests. For example, a Russian-made 16 kW unit will cost $7,000, and a foreign pump RFM 17 with a power of 17 kW costs about $13,200. with all associated equipment except the manifold.

The next expense line will be reservoir arrangement. It also depends on the power of the installation. For example, for a house of 100 m2, in which heated floors (100 m2) or heating radiators of 80 m2 are installed everywhere, as well as to heat water to +40 °C with a volume of 150 l/hour, you will need to drill wells for collectors. Such a vertical collector will cost 13,000 USD.

A collector at the bottom of a reservoir will cost a little less. Under the same conditions, it will cost 11,000 USD. But it is better to check the cost of installing a geothermal system with specialized companies; it can vary greatly. For example, installing a horizontal collector for a 17 kW pump will cost only 2500 USD. And for an air source heat pump, a collector is not needed at all.

Total, the cost of the heat pump is 8000 USD. On average, the construction of a collector is 6000 USD. average.

The monthly cost of heating with a heat pump only includes electricity costs. They can be calculated as follows: the power consumption must be indicated on the pump. For example, for the above-mentioned 17 kW pump, the power consumption is 5.5 kW/h. In total, the heating system operates 225 days a year, i.e. 5400 hours. Taking into account the fact that the heat pump and compressor in it operate cyclically, the energy consumption must be halved. During the heating season, 5400h*5.5kW/h/2=14850 kW will be spent.

We multiply the number of kW spent by the cost of energy in your region. For example, 0.05 USD for 1 kW/hour. In total, 742.5 USD will be spent per year. For each month in which the heat pump worked for heating, it costs 100 USD. electricity costs. If you divide the expenses by 12 months, then you get 60 USD per month.

Please note that the lower the heat pump's power consumption, the lower the monthly costs. For example, there are 17 kW pumps that consume only 10,000 kW per year (costs 500 cu). It is also important that the performance of a heat pump is greater, the smaller the temperature difference between the heat source and the coolant in the heating system. That is why they say that it is more profitable to install warm floors and fan coil units. Although standard heating radiators with high-temperature coolant (+65 - +95 °C) can also be installed, but with an additional heat accumulator, for example, an indirect heating boiler. A boiler is also used to additionally heat the hot water.

Heat pumps are advantageous when used in bivalent systems. In addition to the pump, you can install a solar collector, which can fully supply the pump with electricity in the summer, when it works for cooling. For winter insurance, you can add a heat generator that will heat water for hot water supply and high-temperature radiators.

A heat pump is a device that heats water from heating and hot water supply systems by compressing freon, initially heated from a low-grade heat source, by a compressor to 28 bar. Under high pressure, a gaseous coolant with an initial temperature of 5-10 ° C; releases a large amount of heat. This allows you to warm up the coolant of the consumption system to 50-60 °C, without the use of traditional types of fuel. Therefore, it is believed that a heat pump provides the user with the cheapest heat.

For more information about the advantages and disadvantages, watch the video:

Such equipment has been in operation for more than 40 years in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and other countries that support the development of alternative energy at the state level. Not so actively, but more confidently every year, heat pumps are entering the Russian market.

Purpose of the article: review popular heat pump models. The information will be useful to those who seek to save as much as possible on heating and hot water supply of their own home.

The heat pump heats the house with free energy from nature

In theory, heat can be extracted from the air, soil, groundwater, wastewater (including from a septic tank and water pumping station), and open reservoirs. In practice, for most cases, the feasibility of using equipment that takes thermal energy from the air and soil has been proven.

Options with heat extraction from a septic tank or sewage pumping station (SPS) are the most tempting. By passing the coolant through the HP at 15-20 °C, the output temperature can be at least 70 °C. But this option is acceptable only for a hot water supply system. The heating circuit reduces the temperature in the "tempting" source. Which leads to a number of unpleasant consequences. For example, freezing of drains; and if the heat exchange circuit of the heat pump is located on the walls of the sump, then the septic tank itself.

The most popular HPs for the needs of CO and DHW are geothermal (using the heat of the earth) devices. They are distinguished by their best performance in warm and cold climates, in sandy and clayey soils with different groundwater levels. Because the soil temperature below the freezing depth remains almost unchanged throughout the year.

Operating principle of a heat pump

The coolant is heated from a source of low-potential (5...10 °C) heat. The pump compresses the refrigerant, the temperature of which rises (50...60 °C) and heats the coolant of the heating system or hot water supply.

During the operation of the HP, three thermal circuits are involved:

• external (system with coolant and circulation pump);
• intermediate (heat exchanger, compressor, condenser, evaporator, throttle valve);
• consumer circuit (circulation pump, heated floor, radiators; for hot water supply - tank, water points).

The process itself looks like this:

Thermal energy removal circuit

1. The soil heats the saline solution.
2. The circulation pump lifts the brine into the heat exchanger.
3. The solution is cooled by a refrigerant (freon) and returned to the ground.

Heat exchanger

1. Liquid freon, evaporating, takes away thermal energy from the brine.
2. The compressor compresses the refrigerant, causing its temperature to rise sharply.
3. In the condenser, freon transfers energy through the evaporator to the coolant of the heating circuit and becomes liquid again.
4. The cooled refrigerant goes through the throttle valve to the first heat exchanger.

Heating circuit

1. The heated coolant of the heating system is drawn by the circulation pump to the dissipating elements.
2. Transfers thermal energy to the air mass of the room.
3. The cooled coolant returns through the return pipe to the intermediate heat exchanger.

Video with a detailed description of the process:

What is cheaper for heating: electricity, gas or heat pump?

We present the costs of connecting each type of heating. To present the general picture, let’s take the Moscow region. Prices may differ in regions, but the price ratio will remain the same. In the calculations we assume that the site is “bare” - without gas or electricity.

Connection costs

Heat pump. Laying a horizontal contour at MO prices - 10,000 rubles per shift of an excavator with a bucket bucket (removes up to 1,000 m³ of soil in 8 hours). A system for a house of 100 m² will be buried in 2 days (true for loam, on which you can remove up to 30 W of thermal energy from 1 square meter of circuit). About 5,000 rubles will be required to prepare the circuit for operation. As a result, the horizontal option for placing the primary circuit will cost 25,000.

The well will be more expensive (1,000 rubles per linear meter, taking into account the installation of probes, piping them into one line, filling with coolant and pressure testing), but it will be much more profitable for future operation. With a smaller occupied area of ​​the site, the output increases (for a 50 m well - at least 50 W per meter). The pump's needs are covered and additional potential appears. Therefore, the entire system will not work for wear, but with some reserve power. Place 350 meters of contour in vertical wells – 350,000 rubles.

A gas boiler. In the Moscow region, for connection to the gas network, work on the site and installation of the boiler, Mosoblgaz requests from 260,000 rubles.

Electric boiler. Connecting a three-phase network will cost 10,000 rubles: 550 for local electrical networks, the rest for the distribution board, meter and other contents.

Consumption

To operate a HP with a thermal power of 9 kW, 2.7 kW/h of electricity is required - 9 rubles. 53 kopecks at one o'clock,

The specific heat during combustion of 1 m³ of gas is the same 9 kW. Household gas for Moscow region is priced at 5 rubles. 14 kopecks per cubic meter

An electric boiler consumes 9 kW/h = 31 rubles. 77 kop. at one o'clock. The difference with TN is almost 3.5 times.

Exploitation

• If gas is supplied, then the most cost-effective option for heating is a gas boiler. The equipment (9 kW) costs at least 26,000 rubles, the monthly payment for gas (12 hours per day) will be 1,850 rubles.
• Powerful electrical equipment is more profitable from the point of view of organizing a three-phase network and purchasing the equipment itself (boilers - from 10,000 rubles). A warm house will cost 11,437 rubles per month.
• Taking into account the initial investment in alternative heating (equipment 275,000 and installation of a horizontal circuit 25,000), a heat pump that consumes electricity at 3,430 rubles/month will pay for itself no earlier than in 3 years.

Comparing all heating options, provided that the system is created from scratch, it becomes obvious: gas will not be much more profitable than a geothermal heat pump, and heating with electricity in the next 3 years is hopelessly inferior to both of these options.

Detailed calculations in favor of operating a heat pump can be found by watching a video from the manufacturer:

Some additions and experience of effective operation are highlighted in this video:

Main characteristics

When choosing equipment from a wide variety of specifications, pay attention to the following characteristics.

Main characteristics of heat pumps

Characteristics	Range of values	Peculiarities
Thermal power, kW	Up to 8	Premises with an area of ​​no more than 80 - 100 m², with a ceiling height of no more than 3 m.
	8-25	For one-level country houses with a ceiling of 2.5 m, an area of ​​50 m²; cottages for permanent residence, up to 260 m².
	Over 25	It is advisable to consider for 2-3 level residential buildings with ceilings of 2.7 m; industrial facilities - no more than 150 m², with a ceiling height of 3 or more.
Power consumption of main equipment (maximum consumption of auxiliary elements) kW/h	From 2 (from 6)	Characterizes the energy consumption of the compressor and circulation pumps (heating elements).
Scheme of work	Air-to-air	The transformed thermal energy of the air is transferred into the room by a flow of heated air through a split system.
	Air - water	The energy removed from the air passed through the device is transferred to the coolant of the liquid heating system.
	Brine-water	The transfer of thermal energy from a renewable source is carried out by a sodium or calcium solution.
	Water-water	Through the open primary circuit, groundwater carries thermal energy directly to the heat exchanger.
Outlet coolant temperature, °C	55-70	The indicator is important for calculating losses on a long heating circuit and when organizing an additional hot heat supply system.
Mains voltage, V	220, 380	Single-phase - power consumption no more than 5.5 kW, only for a stable (lightly loaded) household network; the cheapest - only through a stabilizer. If there is a 380 V network, then three-phase devices are preferable - a larger power range, less likely to “sag” the network.

Model summary table

In the article, we examined the most popular models and identified their strengths and weaknesses. The list of models can be found in the following table:

Model summary table

Model (country of origin)	Peculiarities	price, rub.
Heat pumps for heating small spaces or domestic hot water
1.	Air-water system; works from a single-phase network; the protruding condensation line is inserted into the water tank.	184 493
2.	"Brine-water"; power supply from a three-phase network; variable power control; possibility of connecting additional equipment - recuperator, multi-temperature equipment.	355 161
3.	Air-water heat pump powered by 220V mains and with frost protection function.	524 640
Equipment for heating systems of cottages for permanent residence
4.	“Water - water” scheme. In order for the HP to produce a stable 62 °C coolant in the heating system, the capabilities of the set of compressor and pumps (1.5 kW) are complemented by an electric heater with a power of 6 kW.	408 219
5.	Based on the air-water circuit, the potentials of cooling and heating devices are realized in one device, consisting of two blocks.	275 000
6.	“brine-water”, the device heats the coolant for radiators up to 60 °C, can be used when organizing cascade heating systems.	323 300
7.	In the same housing with the geothermal pump there is a storage tank for the hot water supply system, for 180 liters of coolant	1 607 830
Powerful heat pumps for heating and hot water supply needs
8.	It is possible to extract heat from soil and groundwater; operation as part of cascade systems and remote control are possible; works from a three-phase network.	708 521
9.	"brine-water"; control of the compressor power and the rotation speed of the circulation pumps is carried out through frequency adjustment; additional heat exchanger; network – 380 V.	1 180 453
10.	“water-to-water” operating scheme; built-in primary and secondary circuit pumps; The possibility of connecting solar systems is provided.	630 125

Heat pumps for heating small spaces or domestic hot water

Purpose – economical heating of residential and auxiliary premises, maintenance of the hot water supply system. Single-phase models have the lowest consumption (up to 2 kW). To protect against power surges in the network, they need a stabilizer. The reliability of three-phase is explained by the characteristics of the network (the load is distributed evenly) and the presence of its own protective circuits that prevent damage to the device due to voltage surges. Equipment in this category does not always cope with simultaneous maintenance of the heating system and hot water supply circuit.

1. Huch EnTEC VARIO China S2-E (Germany) – from RUB 184,493.

The Huch EnTEC VARIO cannot be operated independently. Only in conjunction with the storage tank of the hot water supply system. The HP heats water for sanitary needs, cooling the air in the room.

Among the advantages are the low energy consumption of the device, an acceptable water temperature in the DHW circuit and the function of cleaning the system (by periodic short-term heating to 60 ° C) from pathogenic bacteria that develop in a humid environment.

The disadvantages are that gaskets, flanges and cuffs must be purchased separately. Be sure to be original, otherwise there will be drips.

When calculating, you must remember that the device pumps 500 m³ of air per hour, so the minimum area of ​​the room in which the Huch EnTEC VARIO is installed must be at least 20 m², with a ceiling height of 3 meters or more.

2. NIBE F1155-6 EXP (Sweden) – from RUB 355,161.

The model is declared as “intelligent” equipment, with automatic adjustment to the needs of the object. An inverter power supply circuit for the compressor has been introduced, making it possible to adjust the output power.

The presence of such a function with a small number of consumers (water points, heating radiators) makes heating a small house more profitable than in the case of a conventional, non-inverter HP (which does not have a soft start of the compressor and the output power is not regulated). Because at NIBE, at low power values, the heating elements are rarely turned on, and the heat pump’s own maximum consumption is no more than 2 kW.

In a small facility, the noise (47 dB) is not acceptable. The optimal installation option is a separate room. Place the harness on walls not adjacent to the rest rooms.

3. Fujitsu WSYA100DD6 (Japan) – from RUB 524,640.

“Out of the box” only works for heating in one circuit. An optional kit for connecting a second circuit is available, with the possibility of independent configuration for each. But the heat pump itself is designed for heating a room up to 100 m², with a ceiling height of no more than 3 meters.

The list of advantages includes small dimensions, operation from a household power supply, adjustment of the output temperature from 8 to 55 °C, which, according to the manufacturer’s plan, should somehow affect the comfort and accuracy of control of connected systems.

But everything was canceled out by low power. In our climate, heating the declared 100 m², the device will work for wear. This is confirmed by the device’s frequent transitions to “emergency” mode, with the pump turning off and errors on the display. The case is not guaranteed. Fixed by restarting the equipment.

“Accidents” affect energy consumption. Because when the compressor stops, the heating element comes into operation. Therefore, the joint connection of CO and underfloor heating (or DHW) circuits is permissible in a facility with an area of ​​no more than 70 m².

Equipment for heating systems of standard cottages for permanent residence

Geothermal, air and water (removing thermal energy from groundwater) devices are presented here. The declared output power (at least 8 kW) is enough to provide heat to all consumer systems of country (and permanent residence) houses. Many heat pumps in this category have a cooling mode. The implemented inverter power circuits are responsible for the smooth start of the compressor; due to its smooth operation, the delta (temperature difference) of the coolant is reduced. The optimal operating mode of the circuit is maintained (without unnecessary overheating and cooling). This allows you to reduce power consumption in all operating modes of the HP. The greatest economic effect is in air-to-air devices.

4. Vaillant geoTHERM VWW 61/3 (Germany) – from RUB 408,219.

The use of well water as the primary coolant (VWW only) made it possible to simplify the design and reduce the price of the HP without loss of performance.

The device is characterized by low power consumption in the main operating mode and low noise level.

The downside of Vaillant is its demands on water (there are known cases of damage to the supply line and heat exchanger by iron and manganese compounds); work with salt-containing waters should be avoided. The situation is not guaranteed, but if the installation was carried out by service center specialists, then there is someone to file a claim with.

A dry, frost-free room with a volume of at least 6.1 m³ (2.44 m² with a ceiling of 2.5 m) is required. Dropping under the pump is not a defect (condensation is allowed to drain from the surfaces of insulated circuits).

5. LG Therma V AH-W096A0 (Korea) – from RUB 275,000.

Air-to-water heat pump. The device consists of 2 modules: the outer one takes thermal energy from the air masses, the inner one transforms and transfers it to the heating system.

The main advantage is versatility. Can be configured for both heating and cooling the object.

The disadvantage of this LG Therma series is that its (and the entire line’s) potential is not enough for the needs of a cottage with an area of ​​more than 200 m².

An important point: the working units of a two-component system cannot be spaced more than 50 m horizontally and 30 m vertically.

6. STIEBEL ELTRON WPF 10MS (Germany) – from RUB 323,300.

The WPF 10MS model is the most powerful of the STIEBEL ELTRON heat pumps.

Among the advantages are an automatically adjustable heating mode and the ability to connect 6 devices into a cascade (this is a parallel or serial connection of devices to increase flow, pressure or organize an emergency reserve) system with a power of up to 60 kW.

The downside is that organizing a powerful electrical network for simultaneous connection of 6 such devices is only possible with the permission of the local branch of Rostechnadzor.

There is a peculiarity in setting the modes: after making the necessary adjustments to the program, you should wait until the control lamp goes out. Otherwise, after closing the lid, the system will return to the original settings.

7. Daikin EGSQH10S18A9W (Japan) – from RUB 1,607,830.

A powerful device for simultaneous provision of heat from CO, DHW and heated floors of a residential building with an area of ​​up to 130 m².

Programmable and user-controlled modes; All serviced circuits are controlled within the specified parameters; there is a built-in storage tank (for DHW needs) of 180 liters and auxiliary heaters.

Among the shortcomings is the impressive potential, which will not be fully utilized in a house of 130 m²; a price due to which the payback period is extended indefinitely; automatic adaptation to external climatic conditions not implemented in the basic configuration. Environmental thermistors (thermal resistors) are optional. That is, when the external temperature changes, it is proposed to adjust the operating mode manually.

Equipment for objects with high heat consumption

To fully meet the thermal energy needs of residential and commercial buildings with an area of ​​more than 200 m². Remote control, cascade operation, interaction with recuperators and solar systems - expand the user’s capabilities in creating a comfortable temperature.

8. WATERKOTTE EcoTouch DS 5027.5 Ai (Germany) – from RUB 708,521.

The DS 5027.5 Ai modification is the most powerful in the EcoTouch line. Stably warms up the heating circuit coolant and provides thermal energy to the hot water supply system in rooms up to 280 m².

Scroll (the most productive existing) compressor; adjusting the coolant flow rate allows you to obtain stable output temperature readings; color display; Russified menu; neat appearance and low noise level. Every detail is for comfortable use.

When the water points are actively used, the heating elements are turned on, causing energy consumption to increase by 6 kW/h.

9. DANFOSS DHP-R ECO 42 (Sweden) – from RUB 1,180,453.

Powerful enough equipment to provide thermal energy to the hot water supply system and heating circuits of a multi-level cottage with permanent residence.

Instead of an additional heater for DHW, the flow of hot water from the heating circuit supply is used here. By passing already hot water through the desuperheater, the heat pump heats the water in the additional DHW heat exchanger to 90 °C. A stable temperature in the CO and DHW tank is maintained by automatically adjusting the speed of the circulation pumps. Suitable for cascade connection (up to 8 TN).

There are no heating elements for the heating circuit. Additional resources are taken from any combined boiler - the control unit will take from it as much heat as is required in a particular case.

When calculating the space for installing a heat pump, it is necessary to leave a gap of 300 mm between the wall and the rear surface of the device (for ease of control and maintenance of communications).

10. Viessmann Vitocal 300-G WWC 110 (Germany) – from RUB 630,125.

Groundwater serves as the primary coolant. Hence the constant temperature on the first heat exchanger and the highest COP coefficient.

Among the advantages are a low-power auxiliary electric heater on the primary circuit and a proprietary controller (essentially a wireless remote control) for remote control.

Minus - the performance of the circulation pump, the condition of the main line and the primary circuit heat exchanger depend on the quality of the groundwater being distilled. Filtering is required.

Groundwater analysis will help eliminate the occurrence of difficult-to-solve problems with expensive equipment. Which should be done before purchasing a water-to-water heat pump.

Editor's Choice

Many years of experience in the production and operation of heat pumps in Northern Europe allowed our compatriots to narrow down the search area for the most profitable way to heat their home. Real options exist for any request.

Do you need to provide heat to the domestic hot water circuit or the heating system of a residential building up to 80 - 100 m²? Consider the potential NIBE F1155– its “intelligent” filling saves money without compromising heat supply.

A stable temperature in the underfloor heating, CO, and DHW circuits of a cottage of 130 m² will be ensured – a DHW heat exchanger (180 liters) is used here.

Produces a constant heat flow simultaneously for all consumers. The ability to create a cascade of 8 HP allows you to provide heat to an object with an area of ​​at least 3,000 m².

In simple terms, the principle of operation of a heat pump is close to a household refrigerator - it takes thermal energy from a heat source and transfers it to the heating system. The heat source for the pump can be soil, rock, atmospheric air, water from various sources (rivers, streams, primers, lakes).

Types of heat pumps are classified by heat source:

• air-to-air;
• water-air;
• water-water;
• soil-water (earth-water);
• ice-water (rarely).

Heating, air conditioning and domestic hot water - all this can be provided by a heat pump. To provide all this, it does not need fuel. The electricity used to keep the pump running is approximately 1/4 of the consumption of other types of heating.

Components of a heat pump heating system

Compressor- the heart of the heating system using a heat pump. It concentrates the dissipated low-grade heat, increasing its temperature due to compression, and transfers it to the coolant into the system. In this case, electricity is spent exclusively on compression and transfer of thermal energy, and not on heating the coolant - water or air. According to average estimates, 10 kW of heat consumes up to 2.5 kW of electricity.

Hot water storage tank(for inverter systems). The storage tank accumulates water, which equalizes the thermal loads of the heating system and hot water supply.

Refrigerant. The so-called working fluid, which is under low pressure and boils at low temperatures, is an absorber of low-potential energy from a heat source. This is the gas circulating in the system (freon, ammonia).

Evaporator, ensuring the selection and transfer of thermal energy to the pump from a low-temperature source.

Capacitor, transferring heat from the refrigerant to the water or air in the system.
Thermostat.

Primary and secondary ground contour. A circulation system that transfers heat from the source to the pump and from the pump to the home heating system. The primary circuit consists of: evaporator, pump, pipes. The secondary circuit includes: condenser, pump, pipeline.

Air-to-water heat pump 5-28 kW

Air-to-water heat pump for heating and hot water supply 12-20 kW

The principle of operation of a heat pump is the absorption and subsequent release of thermal energy during the process of evaporation and condensation of a liquid, as well as a change in pressure and a subsequent change in the temperature of condensation and evaporation.

A heat pump reverses the movement of heat - it forces it to move in the opposite direction. That is, the HP is the same hydraulic pump, pumping liquids from bottom to top, contrary to the natural movement from top to bottom.

The refrigerant is compressed in the compressor and transferred to the condenser. High pressure and temperature condense the gas (freon most often), and heat is transferred to the coolant into the system. The process is repeated when the refrigerant passes through the evaporator again - the pressure decreases and the process of low-temperature boiling starts.

Depending on the source of low-grade heat, each type of pump has its own nuances.

Features of heat pumps depending on the heat source

An air-to-water heat pump depends on the air temperature, which should not fall below +5°C outside, and the declared heat conversion coefficient COP 3.5-6 can only be achieved at 10°C and above. Pumps of this type are installed on the site, in the most ventilated place, and are also installed on the roofs. Much the same can be said about air-to-air pumps.

Ground-water pump type

Ground-water pump or a geothermal heat pump extracts thermal energy from the ground. The earth has a temperature of 4°C to 12°C, always stable at a depth of 1.2 -1.5 m.

The horizontal collector needs to be placed on the site, the area depends on the soil temperatures and the size of the heated area; nothing other than grass can be planted or placed above the system. There is a variant of a vertical collector with a well up to 150 m. The intermediate coolant circulates through pipes laid in the ground and warms up to 4°C, cooling the soil. In turn, the soil must replenish heat loss, which means that for the HP to operate effectively, hundreds of meters of pipes are needed across the site.

Heat pump"water-water"

Water-to-water heat pump works on low-grade heat of rivers, streams, wastewater and primers. Water has a higher heat capacity than air, but cooling groundwater has its own nuances - it cannot be cooled to the point of freezing, the water must drain freely into the ground.

You need to have one hundred percent confidence that you can easily pass tens of tons of water through yourself in a day. This problem is often solved by dumping cooled water into the nearest body of water, with the only condition that the body of water is behind your fence, otherwise such heating costs millions. If there are ten meters to a flowing reservoir, then heating with a water-to-water heat pump will be the most effective.

Ice-water heat pump

Ice-water heat pump a rather exotic type of pump that requires modification of the heat exchanger - the air-to-water pump is converted for water cooling and removes ice.

During the heating season, about 250 tons of ice accumulate, which can be stored (this volume of ice can fill an average swimming pool). This type of heat pump is good for our winters. 330 KJ/kg - this is how much heat water releases during the freezing process. In turn, cooling the water by 1°C produces 80 times less heat. The heating rate of 36,000 KJ/h is obtained from freezing 120 liters of water. Using this heat, you can build a heating system with an ice-water heat pump. While there is very little information on this type of pump, I will look for it.

Pros and cons of heat pumps

I don’t want to rant here about “green” energy and environmental friendliness, since the price of the entire system turns out to be sky-high and the last thing you think about is the ozone layer. If we omit the cost of a heating system using a heat pump, then the advantages are:

1. Safe heating. Judging by myself, when my gas boiler turns on the burner with a bang, a gray hair appears on my head every 15 minutes. The heat pump does not use open flames or combustible fuel. No reserves of firewood or coal.
   The efficiency of the heat pump is about 400-500% (takes 1 kW of electricity, spends 5).
2. "Clean" heating without combustion waste, exhaust, odor.
3. Quiet operation with the “correct” compressor.

Fatty minus heat pumps- the price of the entire system as a whole and the rarely encountered ideal conditions for efficient operation of the pump.

The payback of a heating system based on a heat pump can be 5 years, or maybe 35, and the second figure, unfortunately, is more realistic. This is a very expensive system at the implementation stage and very labor-intensive.

No matter what anyone tells you, nowadays the Kulibins are divorced; calculations for a heat pump should only be carried out by a heating engineer specialist, with a visit to the site.

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Extracting heat from soil and water sources is not such an innovation. The Western world has long used geothermal energy for home heating. This topic is becoming more and more relevant as utility prices increase. A heat pump for heating a home makes it possible to warm the radiators in an environmentally friendly, safe and free manner.

The heat pump heats the house with natural heat

Heat pump for heating a house: principle of operation, advantages and disadvantages

An example of a device similar to a heat pump is found in every home - this is a refrigerator. It produces not only cold, but also heat - this is noticeable by the temperature of the rear wall of the unit. A similar principle is inherent in the heat pump - it collects thermal energy from water, earth and air.

Operating principle and device

The operating system of the device is as follows:

• water from a well or reservoir passes through the evaporator, where its temperature drops by five degrees;
• after cooling, the liquid enters the compressor;
• the compressor compresses the water, increasing its temperature;
• the heated liquid moves into the heat exchange chamber, where it transfers its heat to the heating system;
• the cooled water returns to the beginning of the cycle.

Heating systems based on heat pump units have three components:

• A probe is a coil located in water or ground. It collects heat and transfers it to the device.
• A heat pump is a device that extracts thermal energy.
• The heating system itself, including a heat exchange chamber.

Pros and cons of the device

First, about the positive aspects of such heating:

• Relatively low energy consumption. Only electricity is consumed for heating, and it will require much less than, for example, heating with electrical appliances. Heat pumps have a conversion factor that indicates the output of thermal energy relative to the electrical energy expended. For example, if the value of “ϕ” is 5, then for 1 kilowatt per hour of electricity consumption there will be 5 kilowatts of thermal energy.

• Versatility. This heating system can be installed in any location. This is especially true for remote areas where there are no gas mains. If it is not possible to connect electricity, the pump can run on a diesel or gasoline engine.
• Full automation. There is no need to add water to the system or monitor its operation.
• Environmental friendliness and safety. The heat pump system does not produce any waste or gases. The device cannot accidentally overheat.
• Such a unit can not only heat a house in winter at air temperatures down to minus fifteen degrees, but also cool it in summer. Such functions are available in reverse models.

• Long period of operation - up to half a century. The compressor may need to be replaced approximately every twenty years.

This system also has its drawbacks, which cannot be ignored:

• Prices. A heat pump for heating a home is not a cheap pleasure. This system will pay for itself no sooner than in five years.
• In areas where winter temperatures drop below fifteen degrees below zero, additional heat sources (electric or gas) will be required for the operation of the device.
• A system that takes thermal energy from the ground disrupts the ecosystem of the site. The damage is not significant, but this should be taken into account.

Expert's point of view

Andrey Starpovsky

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“If you wish, you can make a heat pump for heating your home from a refrigerator with your own hands. But this will require certain technical knowledge.”

Which pump to choose

Installations differ in the source of thermal energy and the method of its transmission. There are five main types:

• Water-air.
• Ground-water.
• Air-to-air.
• Water-water.
• Air-water.

Site investigation

Before installing a heating system, it is important to examine the features of the site. This study will help determine which source of thermal energy will be the best option. The easiest way is if there is a pond near the house. This fact will free you from the need to carry out excavation work. Another practical solution is to use an area where the wind constantly blows. If there is neither one nor the other, you will have to stop at earthworks.

The heating system can have two installation options:

• using probes;
• with the installation of an underground collector.

Ground-water pump and installation options

Geothermal probes are usually installed in a small area that does not allow for a large pipeline to be installed. To install this system, you will need drilling equipment, since the depth of the wells must be at least one hundred meters and the diameter must be twenty centimeters. Probes are lowered into such wells. The number of wells affects the performance of the heating system.

If the area of ​​the site is large enough, you can do without drilling and install a horizontal system. For this purpose, the coil is buried to a depth of one and a half meters. This version of the system is considered the most stable and trouble-free.

Water-to-water pump: easy installation

A water-to-water heat pump for heating a house is suitable for areas with ponds. For the pipeline, you can use ordinary polyethylene pipes. The assembled collector is moved to the pond and lowered to the bottom there. This is one of the cheapest installation options that you can do yourself.

Air-to-air heat pump: installation cost

In an area where winds are constantly present, a system that uses air thermal energy is suitable. Installation in this case will also not require any special costs; you can do it yourself. You just need to install the pump no further than twenty meters from the house in the most ventilated place.

Heat pump for home heating: prices and manufacturers

Heat pump units on the Russian market are represented by products from the following companies: Vaillant (Germany), Nibe (Sweden), Danfoss (Denmark), Mitsubishi Electric (Japan), Mammoth (USA), Viessmann (Germany). Russian manufacturers SunDue and Henk are not inferior to them in quality.

To heat a house with an area of ​​one hundred square meters, a ten-kilowatt installation will be required.

Table 1. Average cost of different types of 10 kilowatt pumps

Image	Pump type	Cost of equipment, rub	Cost of installation work, rub
	Ground-water Imported manufacturers	From 500,000	From 80 000
	Ground water domestic producers	From 360,000	From 70 000
	Air-water Imported manufacturers	From 270,000	From 50 000
	Air-water Domestic manufacturers	From 210,000	From 40 000
	Water-water imported manufacturers	From 230,000	From 50 000
	Water-water domestic producers	From 220,000	From 40 000

The turnkey price of a heat pump averages about 300 – 350 thousand rubles. The most budget-friendly option is the air-water system, since it does not require expensive excavation work.

Expert's point of view

Andrey Starpovsky

Head of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Group, GRAST LLC

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