A ground source heat pump, guaranteeing stable efficiency all year round, a more versatile and easier to install air source heat pump, or a hybrid system with a gas boiler? We explain how to choose the ideal solution for a new and retrofitted home.
How to choose a heat pump for a new home?
When designing new buildings (especially well-insulated, low-temperature heating), the most rational choice is to use a heat pump as the main heat source. Both an air source heat pump and a ground source heat pump will do well in this role - the decision depends mainly on the investor's budget and the conditions of the plot.
Ecology and economy in one! Alezio S V200 R32 is a compact heat pump based on renewable energy sources, providing comfortable heating, cooling and domestic hot water.
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Alezio S V200 R32 air source heat pump from De Dietrich
Let's start with an example of the Alezio S V200 R32 air-source heat pump from De Dietrich, which is a frequently chosen option for new single-family homesthanks to its lower initial cost and simpler installation unlike ground-source pumps. It provides full coverage of heating needs and hot water comfort through a built-in hot water heater. In new construction, underfloor heating is standard, with which the said heat pump works perfectly (high efficiency at low flow temperatures).
An additional advantage is the cooling function as standard - the investor can cool in the summer, for example, through the existing underfloor heating system.
High efficiency, low emissions! With R32 refrigerant and a COP of up to 5.2, Alezio S V200 R32 is an ecological and economical solution for new and retrofitted buildings.
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Alezio S V200 R32 comes in two versions of peak source utilization. The E version has a built-in electric heater (3 or 6 kW). The H version, on the other hand, has the option of a hydronic boiler connection.
In conclusion, for most new single-family houses with a standard demand of 5-10 kW, the Alezio S V200 R32 air heat pump will be the optimal solution combining efficiency and reasonable cost.
Efficiency at the highest level! The GSHP heat pump achieves a COP of up to 5.64, which means that for every 1 kWh of electricity consumed, you recover as much as 5.64 kWh of free heat.
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GSHP ground source heat pump from De Dietrich
On the other hand, the GSHP ground source heat pump with the De Dietrich logo is recommended in new buildings primarily when the investor insists on the highest efficiency and independence from weather conditions, while having a larger budget and a plot of land that allows the installation.
For properties with a larger area or buildings with higher demand (e.g., poor sunlight, with a swimming pool to heat, etc.), a ground source heat pump will provide stable heating with lower bills in the long term. It is often chosen for passive and energy-efficient buildings as a component to achieve the lowest possible EP (primary energy) rating.
Comfort all year round! The GSHP heat pump not only heats in winter, but also cools in summer, providing stable temperatures and savings of up to 80%.
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In new construction it is also easier to plan and execute the lower source - this can be done before the garden is finished.
The GSHP heat pump is especially recommended in areas with harsher climates, where an air pump would have more difficult conditions in winter - a ground source will provide more reliable operation there. In addition, if the building is to be equipped with a passive cooling system (e.g., ceiling cooling using ground cooling), a ground source pump with a horizontal/vertical exchanger fits perfectly into this scheme.
In new homes, the only limitation may be the formal requirement for a power connection with adequate capacity (ground pumps above ~10 kW require 3-phase power supply).
In summary - for discerning investors, aiming for the highest efficiency, the ground source heat pump is an excellent choice.
Modern technology, real savings! With GSHP you can enjoy efficient heating and cooling, and its high energy class A++ guarantees minimum energy consumption.
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Which heat pump for retrofitting existing buildings?
When upgrading the heating system in an existing building, you should consider the existing conditions: the type of current installation (e.g., whether there are high-temperature radiators), the state of the building's insulation, the existing heat source (gas, oil, fixed-fuel boiler) and the user's expectations regarding investment and savings.
When is it worth using a hybrid system?
Adding a heat pump to an existing boiler and creating a hybrid system - if the building is heated with a gas (or possibly oil) boiler and the owner wants to reduce fuel bills, but not replace the entire boiler room, adding an HPX2 Split heat pump from De Dietrich is a great solution. This option is especially recommended when:
- The installation is based on radiators that require temperatures of 60-70°C in the harshest frosts - the heat pump could have trouble maintaining such a parameter without huge power consumption, while the hybrid system will allow you to use the heat pump in milder conditions, and in severe frosts it reinforces the boiler.
- The boiler is relatively new and efficient - it would be a shame to eliminate it completely. The HPX2 heat pump will extend its life, because it will take over the heat demand in the operating characteristics of the heat pump without running the boiler, then the devices will work in parallel.
- The budget is limited - the hybrid system allows you to gradually switch to RES at a lower cost. You can get a subsidy for a heat pump, and the electricity expenses will be lower than the savings on gas. In the future, when, for example, gas prices rise more, there is still the option of expanding the system (e.g., adding photovoltaics to power the pump).
- Minimal interference is a priority - we install the HPX2 heat pump quickly and without renovating the boiler room, which is important in an inhabited house. There is no need to dismantle the old boiler or chimney at once.
Maximum savings, minimum interference! The HPX2 Split heat pump reduces gas consumption by up to 70% and works with the existing installation without any reconstruction.
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It is worth noting that a hybrid system with HPX2 will work mainly for buildings that are already insulated or where the average demand is within the pump's power range (4-6 kW). In very poorly insulated houses, where the boiler runs non-stop at full power, the effects of the savings may be less, because the pump will cover a smaller percentage of the heat. Nevertheless, for a typical 1990-2010 house after thermal upgrading, a hybrid system (gas boiler + heat pump) can bring significant benefits.
Replacing a boiler with an air source heat pump
In many retrofits, investors decide to completely replace the old boiler (for example, under the Clean Air Program) with an air-to-water heat pump. Alezio S V200 R32 from De Dietrich is a natural candidate here - it will provide comprehensive heating and hot water with simple installation. We recommend it especially in cases where:
- The building has already been thermo-modernized (insulated walls, roof, replaced carpentry), and the radiator installation has been oversized or the supply parameters can be easily lowered. In such a situation, the air-source heat pump will cope for most of the winter on its own. For the few coldest days it is worthwhile to provide an electric heater or keep the boiler as an emergency, but this may not be necessary if the pump has an adequate power reserve.
- There is a limited possibility to make a bottom source (small plot of land, no access for drilling equipment, cumbersome procedures) - then an airsource heat pump is the only viable option.
- The investor also cares about cooling in the summer - an air pump +, for example, fan coils will eliminate the need to install air conditioners. Replacing an old boiler with a Modena heat pump not only reduces emissions and heating costs, but also makes it possible to cool the building.
Quiet, compact and easy to install! The HPX2 Split operates unobtrusively, takes up little space and is ready to go in just 1-2 days - ideal for modern homes.
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When converting an existing home to a 100% air pump, the installer should pay attention to several issues:
- power selection (it is recommended to perform a heat OZC calculation to accurately determine the heat demand and heat pump selection, it is not recommended to underestimate the power or oversize the heat pump)
- possible modernization of the heating system (oversizing radiators or low-temperature installation (e.g., underfloor),
- selection of an appropriate peak source at the bivalent point - an important aspect of designing a heat pump-based system is to determine the bivalent point, i.e. the outdoor temperature at which the pump ceases to cover the full heat demand on its own and requires the support of an additional source. This can be an electric heater (which works well in buildings with low peak power requirements), a gas boiler (effective in hybrid systems) or another backup system, such as a fireplace with a water jacket. In the case of modern air source heat pumps, a well-chosen bivalent point maximizes savings while ensuring thermal comfort in extreme winter conditions.
In summary, the HPX2 Split pump is ideal when you want to upgrade an existing system with a boiler without radical changes, the Alezio S V200 R32 air source heat pump when you plan to convert the building to a heat pump completely andwe have average conditions (climatic, financial), while the GSHP ground source heat pump - when we need the most efficient and reliable solution and are ready to invest in drilling for long-term benefits. Each of these devices will find its place depending on the context - the role of the installer is to assess these conditions and advise the customer on the optimal solution, balancing cost, technical feasibility and expected comfort and savings.
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