How to choose your heat pump

To choose a heat pump cannot be improvised! Considering the wide range of systems and parameters to take into account, a professional advice will be valuable in order to avoid mistakes

 

ASSESS YOUR NEEDS

Selecting a heat pump is a complex process. Remember that it is important to seek professional help. The numerous models have very specific configurations. For example, the choice is not likely to be the same whether it is a new and well isolated construction or a boiler replacement in an existing home. The question of the needs also arises: heating, domestic hot water production, cooling in summer time. Other parameters to consider: the type of heating appliances you have (radiators, underfloor heating systems, fan convector heating units). These are several important parameters to achieve an accurate sizing of the installation. Good to know: if you have an oversized installation, it will cause additional purchase costs, increase the number cycles (hence electricity consumption) and wear and tear. At the contrary, if undersized, your installation will be unable to meet all your needs and the back-up system will be needed too often.

WHICH HEAT PUMP MODEL TO CHOOSE?

At home, the most commonly used systems are aerothermal heat pumps with calories captured in the air. If the installation has been carried correctly, the return on investment is fast. It ranges from 3 to 8 years depending on the circumstances. Geothermal heat pumps (calories captured in the ground) or hydrothermal ones (calories captured in the water), because of a significant cost, administrative and implementation complexities, are rather reserved to new constructions.

AIR/WATER HEAT PUMP

The operating principle is rather simple: one or several outdoor units capture the calories from the outside cold air. The calories are extracted from this air and warm the heat transfer fluid. Once heated, it will heat the water from the system that supplies low temperature appliances (radiators or underfloor heating systems). High temperature models, in addition to the domestic hot water production, provide heating for an existing network of high temperature heaters. These models replace, without the need for taking over, the current boiler. 

SPLIT AIR-TO-WATER HEAT PUMPS : ALFEA RANGE

These performing heat pumps, adapted to both new build and renovation projects, can manage both heating and domestic hot water supply.