Altecnic’s Stephanie Allchurch explores two components that can help protect and optimise heat pumps.
Heat pump installations are growing in popularity as they improve the efficiency of energy systems and can reduce bills by up to 26%*. Coupled with this, the Government’s incentive of a £5000 grant to households who switch from a gas boiler to a heat pump has seen them become a key topic of conversation for installers and end-users.
Heat pumps can be a costly investment that need to be protected and as such careful consideration should be used when selecting components to optimise and protect each part of the system. So, what can be done to protect and maintain the efficiency of these systems? Here we explore two components which, if installed correctly, can help protect and optimise heat pumps.
Anti-freeze valves
Anti-freeze valves are a cost-effective solution to protect heat pump installations from freezing, which is a common problem during the winter.
How the Anti-freeze valve works
An Anti-freeze valve is designed to be installed in the flow and return pipe work from the heat pump and installed on the external pipework. By opening at temperatures below 3C, an Anti-freeze valve allows system content to be dripped and discharged safely, preventing the system from freezing and protecting the installation.
At temperatures above 4C, the valve then shuts again to stop unnecessary draining. Overall, it does exactly as it implies, it prevents the freezing of heat pumps and pipework. With the valve designed specifically for heat pump installation, it is compact and easy to install.
Protection for exposed installations
Even for installations in areas that are especially exposed – those that are usually hit hardest by freezing – an Anti-freeze valve can continue to function efficiently. The Anti-freeze valve becomes especially useful in the coldest months as it helps to save thousands of pounds in having to replace frozen installations by maintaining the heat pump and pipework.
Protection and optimisation
When the heat pump installation is protected, it can then be optimised to work as efficiently as possible. The efficiency within the system relies on the ‘start-up’ period of the heating cycle being correctly balanced thus preventing it pulling an excessive amount of energy. If a heat pump installation were to draw a large amount of energy, then the end user should expect there to be a negative impact on the operation of the entire system.
Independently managing flow rates
Any system that has a heat pump as its energy source would benefit from installing an automatic dynamic balancing valve. By accurately managing the flow rates throughout the heating circuit using a flow settable, pressure independent, thermostatic radiator valve (TRV), an Installer can optimise their design and ensure each part of the system receives the correct amount of energy independently thus increasing the working life of the compressor within the heat pump.
In addition, any hydronic circuit serving a secondary system must be balanced, meaning that they must be constructed in such a way as to guarantee the design flow rates of the thermal medium. Due to this, specific balancing devices are required depending on the varying system types and appliances used.
Automatic dynamic balancing
Automatic dynamic balancing and pressure-independent adjustment of the heating system is vital for optimisation of a heat pump installation. A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) with this ability, in conjunction with a thermostatic, electronic, or thermoelectric control, combines different functions in a single component.
An automatic dynamic balancing TRV can balance the heating system automatically, ensuring each terminal receives the set flow rate. Even in the case of partial circuit closure, by means of the regulating valves, the flow rates in the open circuits remain constant at the set value- a vital feature when being installed on systems powered by heat pumps.
By using this type of TRV, in combination with thermostatic control heads, the surrounding temperature can remain automatically constant, thus guaranteeing effective energy saving.
Getting the most out of your heat pump installation
With no room for damages, both the installation of an anti-freeze valve and the installation of an automatic balancing TRV protects the end user’s investment and the installers hard work. Given the installation costs of renewable technologies compared to standard gas or oil installations, the benefits of a relatively small outlay to protect this investment are clear.
To make the optimisation and protection of a heat pump installation as easy as possible, Altecnic offers the highest quality Caleffi 108 Anti-Freeze Valve, as well as the Dynamical TRV. Both installers and end-users can get the most out of their heat pump installations by utilising these products.
