Welcome to the next episode of our #MONDAYSHIPSPERT series, in which we dispel your doubts related to construction and interior design. In today's article, Adam Koniszewski of Stiebel Eltron answers our readers' questions on the subject of heat pumps.
Adam Koniszewski - Investment Director of Stiebel Eltron, an expert in the field of heat pumps, who combines his interests with his professional work. He graduated from two faculties, closely related to the HVACR industry: the Gdansk University of Technology (specialization: mechanics and machine construction, specialization: refrigeration and air conditioning equipment) and the Bialystok University of Technology (specialization: environmental engineering, specialization: sanitary networks and systems). He has many years of experience in the heat pump industry. In addition, he is the author of dozens of articles on heating and cooling systems based on renewable energy sources. He occasionally teaches at universities as an industry lecturer. He holds a construction license to design and direct construction works in the field of installation of heating, ventilation, gas, water and sewage equipment.
Heat pumps from European manufacturers are tested for cool, temperate and warm climates
© Stiebel Eltron
Can a heat pump be subsidized?
Adam Koniszewski: Yes, subsidies can be obtained for a heat pump system including installation, and options are available to those building single-family homes, those modernizing them, as well as residents of multi-family buildings.
The Clean Air Program applies to retrofitted buildings. It was created to replace inefficient solid fuel heat sources. The My Heat program, which includes support for the purchase and installation of heat pumps, is dedicated to single-family houses under construction. On the other hand, those living in multi-family buildings have at their disposal the Warm Apartment program, which includes the replacement of heat sources.
As you can see, the catalog of possibilities for obtaining support for the purchase of heat pumps is wide. In addition to government programs, it is also worth looking around to see if your local government is carrying out activities through
which you can receive additional funding.
Is it necessary to report the installation of a heat pump? If so, to which administrative body and within what timeframe from the time of installation?
Adam: In certain situations, the fact of having a heat pump may entail the obligation to report it to the Central Register of Operators. The operation of the registry is related to safety issues. Whether a pump is subject to mandatory notification depends on the CO₂ equivalent.
Heat pumps under 10 tons CO₂ equivalent are exempt from mandatory registration (these are heat pumps for single-family housing). The CO₂ equivalent is calculated as follows: the amount of refrigerant in the unit expressed in kg multiplied by the GWP (Global Warming Potential) factor. If 10 tons of CO₂ equivalent is exceeded(hermetically sealed heat pumps), registration of the heat pump with the Central Installer Register is required.
Some heat pumps need to be registered with the Central Register of Operators
© Stiebel Eltron
How do you prepare a single-family home for heat pump installation?
Adam: It is necessary to adjust the heating system of a single-family house for heating water supply temperatures below <55°C at the design temperature for a given climate zone (e.g., climate zone I of Koszalin) -16°C, the parameters of the heating system 55°C (supply)/ 45°C (return). The heating system can be "radiator" for parameters 55/45°C and "floor" for parameters 35/30°C. With underfloor heating, the heat pump achieves the highest efficiency of renewable energy extraction.
Is it worth setting up a heat pump without photovoltaics?
Adam: It is worth it. A heat pump extracts up to 85% (ground source heat pumps) of energy from renewable sources for 100% of the energy needed to heat our home and prepare domestic hot water. This is already paying for itself. The remaining 15% of energy comes from driving the heat pump compressor, which we pay for. We can get this part of the energy from renewable sources too, using "photovoltaics." However, whether with or without photovoltaics, the heat pump ranks first in lists describing the most economical heating sources.
Can the use of a heat pump as a home heating source actuallybe cost-effective and generate savings inour climate conditions?
Adam: Of course! Heat pumps especially using a renewable source such as air must be adapted to certain climatic conditions. Heat pumps from European manufacturers are tested for cool, temperate and warm climates.
As for specific examples of solutions used by manufacturers with a particular type of climate in mind, for example, Stiebel Eltron heat pumps have a suitable evaporator design, in the form of a finned air cooler. This ensures efficient defrosting of the heat pump while maintaining its high energy efficiency.
The heat pump is considered the most economical source of heating
© Stiebel Eltron
Is the economic aspect of using heat pumps in Poland by region confirmed?
Adam: Heat pumps have the ability to extract renewable energy from the air, but also from the ground. Depending on the application (region), a suitable solution is selected. We have tools to simulate heat pump operation for each region in Poland. For analysis, I encourage you to contact our consultants.
What is cheaper - gas or heat pump?
Adam: All data shows that heat pumps are cheaper than gas. A heat pump obtains up to 85% from renewable sources, with 100% of the energy needed to heat our home or prepare hot water, and is currently the cheapest source of heating energy for our homes. In answering the question posed in this way, it is worth noting that we must remember that a comparison of the cost of using a heat pump and other types of heating sources should be carried out for the perspective of a decade or even longer. Available studies clearly indicate that in this perspective the price of blue fuel will increase, while the price of electricity, which is necessary to power the pump components, will decrease. This will be influenced by the spread of RES, including photovoltaics and windmills.
Check out previous conversations in the #MONDAYSHARESPERT series on photovoltaics and customized furniture.
