Air-to-wa­ter heat pump NIBE F2120

The heat pump extracts thermal energy from the ambient air. The refrigerant absorbs this heat in the heat exchanger (evaporator) and is then compressed in the compressor. The heat generated in this process is used for heating and hot water production via another heat exchanger. In summer, the cycle can also be used for cooling by reversing the process.

The heat pump extracts thermal energy from the ground using a geothermal probe or groundwater. The refrigerant absorbs this heat in the heat exchanger (evaporator) and is then compressed in the compressor. The heat generated in this process is used for heating and hot water production via another heat exchanger. In summer, the cycle can also be used for cooling by reversing the process.

Heat pumps are suitable for both and can therefore be used in new buildings and old buildings undergoing renovation. With the latest generation of heat pumps, flow temperatures of up to 70° can be achieved.
However, it may be worth replacing or adding new radiators with a larger heating surface area in order to increase the efficiency of the heat pump. Seek advice from a specialist. In general, energy-saving measures should be considered for the building envelope in order to directly reduce the heat demand and thus reduce the flow temperatures and increase the efficiency of the heat pump.

Yes, because all our heat pump systems are designed for the design temperature. However, there are some differences between the various heat pump systems that need to be taken into account:

Air/water heat pumps:
Air/water heat pumps have a lower operating limit (approx. -25°C). For heating systems, this means that the heat output is guaranteed up to the design temperature (in the Swiss Plateau, for example, at -7°C). If the outside temperature falls below this design temperature, the auxiliary heating can switch on automatically. Statistically speaking, however, this is extremely rare.

Brine/water heat pumps:
With brine/water heat pumps, it is important to dimension the geothermal probes correctly. The geothermal energy at depth is constant and changes only minimally, even if the top layer of soil is frozen.

A heat pump with a COP of 5 requires 1/5 of the total energy produced in the form of electrical energy, while 4/5 of the energy is obtained from the environment (ambient air, geothermal probe, etc.).
The COP is highly dependent on the source temperature and the flow temperature. The higher the source temperature and the lower the flow temperature, the higher the COP and the energy efficiency.
In combination with a PV system, the amount of electricity consumed can be increased and energy costs reduced.

The sound insulation of heat pumps can be improved through structural measures. The most important measure is to physically decouple the heat pump from the house. Pipes must also be physically decoupled using suitable mounting systems. Sound insulation hoods or sound insulation walls can also significantly reduce noise levels.

Heat pumps are generally very low-maintenance. However, a heat pump should not be neglected. Contamination on the outdoor unit or in the heating circuit, incorrect settings, incorrect heating curves, etc. can damage the heat pump or reduce its efficiency. Periodic maintenance is therefore always beneficial and extends the service life.