–Heat pumps explained: The Electrification of Heating
“Building electrification” is a buzzword that has been gaining momentum in the industry, marking a shift from fossil fuel consuming technologies to cleaner, renewable energy sources to power buildings. Most buildings use multiple fuel types, electricity to power lights, domestic appliances and things like the Internet, and gas for stoves, furnaces, and boilers.
The ultimate goal of building electrification is to move from fossil fuels to electricity provided by solar, wind and other sources. One technology that is leading the charge is the heat pump, a technology which drastically reduces the energy consumed for heating and / or domestic hot water.
What is a Heat Pump?
In simple terms, a heat pump uses the available heat from the ground or air to generate the energy needed for heating, cooling and domestic hot water. It is a versatile technology that can be used in all sorts of buildings, like homes and businesses.
Heat pumps need electricity to operate, however, because they are harnessing heat energy from a renewable source, the heat output is greater than the electricity it consumes. This is one of the reasons it has become a key technology in the electrification of buildings, especially throughout Europe and the UK.
As briefly mentioned, there are ground source and air source heat pumps. In this article we are discussing air source heat pumps, of which there are two main types to select from:
Air-to-air
Much like air conditioning systems, provide heating and cooling, and require an indoor unit to blow the air out into the desired space.
Air-to-water
Which uses the heat extracted from the outside air to produce hot water for heating systems like radiators and underfloor heating. Air-to-water heat pumps can also be used for cooling as well as produce domestic hot water.
It is the latter that we focus on today, air source air-to-water heat pumps.
The Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
We’ve hinted at air-to-water heat pumps being one of the greenest options for heating but, what exactly are the advantages?
Heat Pump Pros
- Lower operational costs, saving you money when compared to other heating systems
- Greatly reduces your carbon footprint
- Can provide heating, cooling and, depending on the system, domestic hot water
- Less maintenance, providing the owner with reliable performance all year round
- A safer way to heat the home compared to combustion-based systems
- In some countries, you might be eligible for payment as part of the government schemes that cater to renewable energy technologies, like the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme in the UK
But of course, there are also the “cons” to consider when thinking about installing an air-to-water heat pump:
Heat Pump Cons
- Heat pumps has a high upfront cost when compared to standard residential air conditioners
- They can be difficult to install, especially if installing underfloor heating
- For some buildings, planning permission is required
As the world takes steps to becoming greener and looks to embrace cleaner, renewable energy in as many aspects of our day-to-day lives as possible, it offers technology like this that creates a positive common goal between the company and customer. The series of Hitachi Yutaki R32 air-to-water heat pumps aims to do just this.
The Hitachi Yutaki S R32 unit
The Hitachi Air-to-Water Heat Pumps: Yutaki R32 Series
The Hitachi Yutaki R32 Series is a collection of premium air-to-water heat pumps that have become synonymous with efficiency.
Boasting units that can provide heating, cooling and / or domestic hot water, the Hitachi Yutaki R32 series is versatile and the right choice for almost any type of building. The models can be combined with new or existing radiators, underfloor heating and other heaters.
In its name, the R32 refers to the type of refrigerant used and, in the case of Yutaki R32, this refrigerant helps reduce the unit’s global warming impact by up to 70%.
Impressive right? Well, let’s take a closer look at what the series has to offer.
Hitachi Yutaki S R32
Heating, Cooling and Domestic Hot Water
With 3 models between 4.3kW to 8kW to choose from, you can expect uninterrupted operation from -25°C –46°C while remaining efficient. In detail, heating operation is from -20°C to 25°C and cooling from 10°C to 46°C. Using under floor heating and radiators, the Hitachi Yutaki S R32 is also compatible with most domestic hot water tanks to offer an all-in-one solution that is reliable throughout the year.
The Hitachi Yutaki S Combi R32 unit
Hitachi Yutaki S Combi R32
Heating, Cooling and Domestic Hot Water with Integrated Tank
With the best COP, up to 5,25 even in cold conditions, and the best EER on the market, up to 5,4, this unit offers the maximum level of energy efficiency in the European market (A+++). The Hitachi Yutaki S Combi R32’s SCOP rating ranks in at 4,6, and it is able to produce water up 60°C. This model comes in a wide range of capacities (15 models available between 4,3kW to 8kW), making it extremely versatile, as well as being compact and running almost silently.
Hitachi Yutaki M R32
Heating, Cooling and can provide Domestic Hot Water
Available in 4.3kW and 8kW, this unit is perfect for buildings with limited space because it consists of just one, compact outdoor unit. It is easy to install and connect to under floor heating systems and cooling equipment, and domestic hot water is made possible by fitting a dedicated hot water cylinder, creating a complete system. The Yutaki M R32 can also be combined for use with boilers or swimming pools. Like the Yutaki S Combi model, it has the same COP and EER, and has a maximum cooling capacity of up to 9kW.
Learn more about what you can expect from the Hitachi Yutaki R32 Series here:
Are you interested in Building Electrification and understanding how you could benefit from a Hitachi Yutaki R32 unit? Whether residential or business, we invite you to learn more about the Hitachi Heat pump range and its availability.
by Hitachi Cooling & Heating
