Renewable energy sources: how they work and what they deliver: Part 3: Electrically driven heat pumps DG 532 3
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Renewable energy sources: how they work and what they deliver: Part 3: Electrically driven heat pumps (DG 532/3) was written by John Holden and Patrick Robinson and published by BRE on 5 December 2014.
This is one in a series of four BRE Digests focusing on renewable energy technologies commonly used in domestic buildings, which complements an earlier series of BRE information papers about the installation of renewable energy technologies. The other technologies covered include:
Electrically-driven heat pumps are devices that may be used to generate heat for domestic hot water (DHW) and space heating. They achieve this by extracting heat from environmental sources such as the air or the ground. The heat is transferred to a refrigerant circuit where compression raises the fluid’s temperature and useful heat is extracted, providing an alternative to conventional gas or oil-fired heating systems.
DG 532/3 describes different types of heat pump system and how they operate. It also discusses installation requirements (including integration with the building’s heating system and the steps that should be taken to ensure their safe and efficient operation) and methods for estimating annual energy performance.
Reference is made to European Standards and certification schemes relevant to heat pump systems to indicate the assurances that system owners and operators should expect. Financial incentives are also outlined.
Its contents are:
- Introduction.
- How heat pumps work.
- Heating system design.
- Building characteristics.
- Evaluation of performance.
- Operating costs.
- Operating incentives.
- Conclusion.
- References.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Absorption heat pump.
- Air source heat pumps.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BREEAM.
- BSRIA domestic hot water heat pumps testing.
- Domestic heat pumps and the electricity supply system.
- Dynamic thermal modelling of closed loop geothermal heat pump systems.
- Earth-to-air heat exchangers.
- Exhaust air heat pump.
- Ground source heat pumps.
- Heat pump.
- Renewable energy sources: how they work and what they deliver: Part 4: Solar thermal hot water systems DG 532 4.
- Residential heat pump installations: the role of vocational education and training.
- Solar-assisted heat pump.
- Water source heat pumps.
Featured articles and news
Millwork wall treatment with a long and illustrious history.
Weekly workplace noise estimator tool
HSE introduces cumulative exposure calculator.
The Edwardians and their houses.
Cut off from civilian life for over 900 years.
Can net zero and levelling-up align?
Gaining green support from the carbon giants.
Medieval passageways with spiritual, transport and economic purposes.
CIOB applauded for people management leadership
Organisation receives accreditation from Investors in People.
Receive the Designing Buildings newsletter
Click the button to subscribe.
The importance of successful crisis messaging
Communicating the right information at the right time.
Angular selective shading systems
Materials can take on different properties to control heat and glare.
Challenges in the construction sector and beyond.
Exploring brick and timber construction techniques.
On wheels or on platforms, micro dwellings are popping up everywhere.
Electrical safety in the private rented sector
Landlords must now comply with new repair regulations.