Stelrad - Fit for the Future - Catalog - Page 11
What is
a low
temperature
heating
system?
Simply put a low temperature heating system operates at
lower temperatures to a traditional boiler system.
What is coefficient of performance (COP) and why is it so important?
The bigger the difference in temperature between the heat source and the heat
transferred by the heat pump then the more work (electricity consumed) that the pump
must do.
If the temperature difference becomes too high, it is possible that the heat pump will have
to do so much work that the energy (electricity) it consumes is equal to the energy (heat)
it transfers.
That is a (COP) of 1.
It is important that this difference in temperature is designed to be as low as possible in
order that the performance gain is as high as possible.
That is a COP of at least 3.
Most heat pumps will perform with a COP of at least 3 when raising the temperature from
the source to about 45 to 50 deg. C.
At greater temperatures, the COP will fall.
This means that traditional heating systems that are designed to be operated with a
boiler that delivers a water temperature of 80 deg. C will not deliver sufficient heat to the
dwelling, if the boiler is substituted by a heat pump (delivering water at 50 deg. C or less).
Heating systems that are applied to heat pumps therefore need to be designed
accordingly and are known as low temperature systems..
They operate effectively at up to 45 to 50 deg. C. where as
a traditional system operates at around 80 deg. C.
Ready for the future. Today.
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