The 5 terms you should know when it comes to heat pumps.

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The world of heat pumps is crucial for the future of environmentally friendly heating technologies. As a sustainable alternative to conventional heating systems, heat pumps offer an efficient way to save energy while minimizing the environmental footprint. For experts from the HVAC sector, energy consultants or anyone considering installing a heat pump, a sound understanding of the technology and its technical language is essential. For beginners, the variety of technical terms can initially seem overwhelming. To provide an initial insight, five key terms are explained here, which help to better understand and effectively use the functionality and benefits of heat pumps.

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1st annual performance figure (JAZ)

The annual performance factor (JAZ) is a central efficiency indicator for heat pumps and measures how efficiently the pump works over the entire year. It is calculated by dividing the heating energy emitted by the heat pump over a year by the electrical energy absorbed for it. A high annual performance index indicates a high efficiency of the heat pump and is an indicator that less electrical energy is required to generate a certain amount of heating energy.

The high annual efficiency of a heat pump not only improves energy efficiency, but also reduces costs and protects the environment. Heat pumps with a high JAZ use renewable energy sources more effectively, which both reduces operating costs and minimizes environmental impact. This makes the annual performance factor an important criterion when choosing a heat pump, both from an economic and environmental perspective.

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2nd heat load

The heating load of a building determines the total energy requirement that is required to heat the building to the desired temperature. In addition, the Heat load also roomwise can be calculated, which allows heating systems to be dimensioned even more precisely. This is particularly relevant for heat pumps, as an exact heat load calculation ensures that the system is neither undersized nor oversized, which in turn has a positive effect on the efficiency and lifetime of the heat pump.

The calculation of the heating load takes into account various factors such as building insulation, window size and quality, room volume and geographical location, to name just a few. Through precise heat load calculations, HVAC companies can ensure that the heating system not only works efficiently, but also maximizes the comfort and energy efficiency of the building.

The autarc software enables you to calculate the heating load efficiently and automatically. This ensures optimal dimensioning of heat pump systems, which not only minimizes energy consumption, but also lowers operating costs and reduces environmental impact. This precise calculation ensures that the heating system works effectively and meets the exact needs of the building.

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3. Inlet/return temperature

The flow temperature is the temperature of the heating water when it is directed from the heating source (e.g. heat pump or boiler) to the radiators, floor heating systems or other heating surfaces in the building. It is largely responsible for how much heat is emitted to the rooms. The higher the flow temperature, the more heat is released into the room. After the heating water has transferred heat to the rooms, it flows back to the heating source — now at a lower temperature. This temperature is known as the return temperature. A lower difference between flow and return temperature indicates efficient heat transfer and therefore a well-adjusted heating system. Conversely, a large temperature difference can indicate inefficiency and potential need for optimization.

For a deeper insight into the optimization of the heating system and the importance of the flow and return temperature, in particular in connection with hydraulic balancing in accordance with method B, we recommend our article Hydraulic balancing requirement Method B: Why method B is important and what you need to know to read.

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4. Hydraulic balancing

Hydraulic balancing is a process that ensures that each radiator in a heating system receives exactly the amount of heat transfer medium (e.g. water) that it needs to work efficiently. This measure is crucial to ensure that heat is evenly distributed throughout the building, which increases the efficiency of the system and minimizes energy losses. Correctly carried out hydraulic balancing not only ensures optimal operation and increased living comfort, but also helps to reduce heating costs.

The autarc software supports this process through precise calculations and data analyses. It makes it easier to carry out hydraulic balancing by allowing specialists to precisely determine the required flow rates and settings for each heating element. This results in optimized heat distribution and helps to save energy and reduce operating costs.

For more detailed information about hydraulic balancing and how autarc can help, you can read the article on our website: Hydraulic balancing requirement Method B: Why method B is important and what you need to know to read.

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5th bivalence point

The bivalence point describes a critical outdoor temperature at which the capacity of a heat pump is no longer sufficient to completely cover the heating requirements of a building. This point is crucial for planning an efficient heating system, as when the temperature falls below this temperature, an additional heating source is required to meet the heat requirement. The exact determination of the bivalence point helps to optimally size the heat pump and ensure that the heating system works efficiently even at lower temperatures. Thorough analysis and planning, taking into account the bivalence point, makes a significant contribution to cost and energy efficiency.

For example, if the bivalence point of a heat pump is -5°C, this means that at temperatures below -5°C, additional heating sources such as heating rods or another boiler must be activated to provide the necessary heat.

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Conclusion

The five terms presented — annual performance factor, heat load, inlet/return temperature, hydraulic balancing and bivalence point — are central to understanding and efficiently using heat pumps. They not only provide technical insights into how these systems work, but also underline the importance of precise planning and implementation in heating technology. By optimally coordinating and applying these concepts, experts from the HVAC sector can design heating systems that are not only energy-efficient, but also economical and environmentally friendly. With autarc software, these processes can be further optimized, which helps companies to improve their operating processes and offer end customers significant added value.

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Schedule a demo with autarc

Contact us today to plan a personal demonstration of our software and find out how autarc can support your municipal heating planning. Discover how we can help you achieve your goals of sustainable and efficient energy supply.

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