Summar
This is one of the first ground-source heat pump installations by Alternative Heating & Cooling Ltd. The heat pump provides floor heating for a new-built two-storey single-family house in West Cork. The COP of the 9 Kw heat pump is 3.7 on underfloor heating conditions. The complete distribution system is designed for a heat pump installation, because of this, 25% less energy is used than in a conventional set-up, mainly because of the control system. 

Building and design values

Building type:

Single-family house

Location:

Skibbereen, West Cork

Year of construction:

2000

Type of construction

Timber-frame with outer block leaf.

Floor area (m2)

197

Number of storeys:

2

Under-floor Heated floor area (m2):

115

% of total floor area (%):

58

Design outdoor temperature (șC)

Heating:

-3

Cooling:

- N/A

Design indoor temperature (șC)

Heating:

21

Cooling:

- N/A

Heating and cooling Loads

Application:

Space heating (underfloor downstairs & standard "Barlow" Radiators upstairs) & domestic hot water

Heat pump type(s):

Water-to-water

Manufacturer

Waterfurnace

9

Cooling:

-

Model

Versatec 9 KW

Heat pump installed capacity (KW)

Heating:

Refrigerant:

R-407C

Heat source

Ground

Details (circulating pumps):

165 W (ground-source) + 100 W (distribution)

a) Type of ground heat exchanger:

Horizontal

b) Trench depth (m):

1.0 m

c) Pipe length (m):

750 m

d) Heat transfer fluid:

Water/glycol

Distribution system(s):

Underfloor & radiators upstairs

30/25

Cooling:

- not used

Supply and return temperature (șC)

Underfloor Heating:

50/45

Radiators

Hot water capacity

175 L (too small)

Auxiliary system:

None

Heat pump design:

115% of the heat loss

Supplementary system:

Wood stove but no open fire places

Ventilation

Forced air heat recovery ventilation as fitted by www.allvent.com  No wall or window vents

Heat pump system completion date:

2001

Comments:

·         System is running maintaince free since first installed.

·         Underfloor heating controls had to be upgraded 2001 as the standard supplied controls with the underfloor package were ineffective in maintaining a steady temperature.

·         Immersion is used for one hour each night to top up the temperature in the Cylinder at a cost of 34 Euro per year.

·         The hot water cylinder is too small for a heat pump system. (i.e. too slow a recovery time)

·         Total cost of the heating is approx. 400 Euro yearly. (Total ESB bill of 950 Euro)