Heat Pump Installation

Installation of Heat Pumps in the San Francisco Bay Area

A Heat Pump is a climate control equipment in a building that works on the principle of converting low-grade heat energy into high-grade heat energy by bringing the natural heat resource (air, water, ground heat) into direct contact with the refrigerant. It can be used to heat or cool a space or to heat water for sanitary purposes.

What is the difference between a Heat Pump and a conventional heating system?

A heat pump differs from conventional heating systems in that it is inexpensive and practical to use. In principle, a heat pump is the same as a reverse-acting refrigerator. This technology is unique and economical. Using just one kilowatt to power the main compressor, we have around five kilowatts of heat. In some cases, that same kilowatt "gives back" more heat energy.

A heat pump extracts about 80% of the heat energy literally "out of the air" and the system requires no extractors, no flue pipes, no lubrication and no ongoing maintenance. The technology is innovative, environmentally friendly, safe and versatile for all types of modern buildings and the design of heat pumps is constantly being improved. There are different types of heat pumps, some of them use air as a heat source, others use water from reservoirs or underground sources, and there are pumps that use the ground.

 Heat pump equipment does not tolerate amateurism and requires a sober calculation in relation to the cost of installation, the annual running costs and the capacity for the required heating.

The price can vary considerably depending on the location of the source of low-grade heat, so it is best to contact a specialist to save money.

 HVAC All Seasons specialists will accurately calculate the best solution and offer quality equipment and installation of this equipment.
Leave a request to call a technician аor an initial consultation or call : +1(510)342 80 96

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 Air-to-Water.  Heat Pump operating principle

• The air from the street enters the outdoor unit, where the refrigerant pipes run.
• The air's thermal energy acts on the refrigerant, causing it to change state from liquid to gaseous.
• The refrigerant is converted into vapour and sent under pressure to the compressor, where it is forced by the compression of the moving and stationary scroll to increase its temperature. 
• On reaching the indoor unit (heat exchanger), the refrigerant transfers its heat to the adjacent water pipes. There, the water heats up and disperses throughout the system, warming the house. 
• The refrigerant evaporates, gives its temperature to the water, cools down to become a liquid, and is sent back to the outdoor unit (the whole cycle repeats). 

Connection types 

There are three types of connections for this type of equipment: 

1. Exclusively to the floor, radiators and fan coil units for cooling or heating the dwelling; 
2. Connection of heating system and boiler (storage tank); 
3. A DHW storage tank and components of the heating (cooling) system are also included in the connection.

Installation process 

Of all heat pump types, air-to-water heat pumps are the easiest to install. 
The sequence is as follows: 

Select a location with sufficient air access to the external unit (roof or small plot of land near the house, or simply install the external unit on the wall). Note: If a piece of land was chosen, the optimum distance is between 2 and 20 metres from the house.

For the roof:

A metal frame is constructed to the size of the pump;
The frame is attached to the roof base and the external unit is bolted to it. 

On site: 

• A frame is created for the collector; 
• Small foundation pits are dug for the base of the frame (depth depends on the size of the unit - on average 15-25 cm); 
• The frame feet are placed in the pits and filled with cement mortar; 
• The "air collector" is attached to the frame.

Installation of indoor unit

The indoor unit is installed in parallel to the outdoor unit. It is the connecting element between the freon pipes and the water that receives the released heat. As a rule, a special room is prepared for the indoor unit. This can simply be a converted utility room ora purpose built boiler room.

Installation process fort he internal hydronic module

1. The installation site is selected. For wall-mounted units, it is important to choose a load-bearing or simply wide wall so that the weight of the unit does not cause an accident;
2. Floor standing units are placed directly on the floor without any preparation. For wall-mounted heat exchangers, the walls are drilled for metal wall plugs;
3. The wall-mounted indoor unit is bolted to the wall plugs in place;
4. Connection of the freon lines between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is carried out;
5. Water circulation system is connected;
6. Electrical equipment, control panel, additional sensors are connected; Checking the function and commissioning.  

Water-to-Water Heat Pump

The water-to-water heat pump is a heating system that draws heat from natural water sources: lakes, rivers, wells, etc., and increases the temperature obtained to heat the water in the house using refrigerant and additional equipment. The hot water in the system, allows heating in moderately cold winters, as well as domestic and sanitary applications.

Features of the water-to-water heat pump operation:

1. The circuit with the heat transfer medium is submerged in the selected low-potential heat energy source;
2. The circuit is heated by the water (+1°C is sufficient);
3. An electric motor drives the heated water upwards to the evaporator containing the coolant pipes and changes its aggregate state into steam at the available temperature;
4. Refrigerant vapour enters compressor that compresses the resulting vapour causing it to rise in temperature;
5. The hot refrigerant enters the condenser, where it gives off heat to the water in the heating system, which circulates in a closed circuit in the house, heating the rooms;
6. The refrigerant, having given up the heat, changes its aggregate state to liquid and returns to the evaporator, which closes the circuit.

Heat pump use options.

Depending on the selected configuration and features of the circuit, such a pump is used for:

• Room floor heating;
• Heating of the floor and fan-coils;
• Water heating;
• Water, floor and fan coil heating;
• Cooling the dwelling (air conditioning).

Equipment installation

Two types of external circuits are used for water-to-water heat pumps, depending on the availability of open water bodies:

• Vertical (consuming heat from underground water sources);
• Horizontal (rivers, lakes, artificial ponds).

Installation of a vertical loop

This construction is considered more practical, as it can be erected in any area, without the need for a near by body of water. Another advantage is the consistency of the absorbed temperature from underground sources. Even in winter the temperature of the water underground does not vary by more than +/-2°C and averages +5°C.

• Two boreholes are drilled;
• The first, to "collect" heat energy and feed it to the evaporator. The depth of the borehole depends on the distance to the key or underground pool;
• The second, to discharge the waste water. Alternatively, a public sewer or rainwater drain can be used;
• Pipes are laid in the wells. A motor is connected to the intake well to lift the water.

Installation of a horizontal circuit

An external water circuit is easier to install than a vertical circuit.

• Pipes for external contour are assembled into a spiral strip and are submerged into the pond at a depth of 2 to 3 metres. Depths of less than 2 metres increase the risk of the pipes freezing during very cold winters;
• Pipes are laid from the reservoir to the house. It is mandatory to insulate them to protect them against frost.

Installation of the in door unit

The difference between the external circuits does not affect the internal equipment, so everything is installed according to the same principle. The heat pump indoor unit is installed following the external circuit and the motor that supplies water to the house. Installation of the internal heat exchanger

1. Depending on whether the unit is surface-mounted or floor-mounted, the optimum location is determined;
2. The floor-mounted unit is placed at the desired location on its feet, without any further preparation oft he surface.
3. The wall-mounted unit is usually hung on the factory hinges located on the casing of the unit. In some cases, it is also mounted on a frame which is in turn secured to the wall with screws;
4. Then the unit is connected tot he freon pipe;
5. The system is filled with freon;
6. The internal heating circuit is connected;
7. Electricity, wall-mounted control unit and sensors are connected;
8. Pre-commissioning works;
9. Test check.

Heat pump equipment

Heat pump equipment does not tolerate amateurism and requires a sober calculation in relation to the cost of installation, the annual running costs and the capacity for the required heating.

The price can vary considerably depending on the location of the source of low-grade heat, so it is best to contact a specialist to save money.

HVAC All Seasons specialists will accurately calculate the best solution and offer quality equipment and installation of this equipment.
Leave a request to call a technician for an initial consultation or call +1(510)342 80 96

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