How Developers Are Ruining The Heat Pump Market

Summary

In this video, the hosts investigate a heat pump installation gone wrong in a new build home. They explore the home's design, which includes high-tech features like MVHR (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery), but the heat pump system is grossly oversized, leading to inefficiencies. The homeowner, Roman, shares his frustrations with poor system performance, including cycling issues and low COP (coefficient of performance). The video highlights common pitfalls in heat pump installations, offering insights on how to avoid such mistakes and improve system efficiency through better design and installation practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The heat pump installation in the new development is subpar, leading to efficiency issues for homeowners.
• 😀 Proper heat loss calculations are crucial for determining the correct size of a heat pump system.
• 😀 Many heat pump systems in new builds are oversized, leading to inefficient operation and increased energy consumption.
• 😀 Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) should be around 3.5 for good heat pump efficiency, but many installations fall short of this benchmark.
• 😀 Poor installation practices, such as incorrectly sizing pipes and placing expansion vessels on the wrong pipe, can harm the system's performance.
• 😀 The use of unnecessary components, like blending valves and additional pumps, can reduce system efficiency in low-temperature systems like heat pumps.
• 😀 Over-zoning of the system (using too many thermostats) can cause the heat pump to cycle frequently, which drastically lowers efficiency.
• 😀 Newer, well-insulated homes are easier to heat efficiently with heat pumps, but poor installation practices can still lead to issues.
• 😀 Homeowners should ask for heat loss calculations and proper documentation, such as a handover pack, to ensure their system is designed and installed correctly.
• 😀 Training for heat pump installers is essential to improve industry standards and avoid mistakes that negatively impact homeowners.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the heat pump system discussed in the video?

The main issue is that the heat pump system is oversized for the house, leading to inefficiencies and poor performance, such as frequent cycling and low Coefficient of Performance (COP).

How did the size of the heat pump contribute to its underperformance?

The heat pump was 11 kW for a house with a heat loss of only around 3 kW, causing it to operate inefficiently. The oversized system results in frequent cycling, which reduces overall efficiency.

What were some of the technical installation issues identified in the video?

Key issues included incorrectly sized pipework, improper placement of the expansion vessel (on the flow pipe rather than the return pipe), and the unnecessary addition of components like the hydraulic separation unit.

What effect did the improper placement of the expansion vessel have on the system?

Placing the expansion vessel on the flow pipe created negative pressure, which allowed air to enter the system, affecting its performance and efficiency.

Why was zoning unnecessary in the open-plan space?

Zoning in an open-plan space was unnecessary because it forced the system to run at higher temperatures, reducing efficiency and increasing energy consumption.

What is the importance of performing accurate heat loss calculations for a new build?

Accurate heat loss calculations are crucial to ensure the heat pump is correctly sized for the home, preventing the issues caused by oversizing and ensuring optimal system performance.

How does the performance of the heat pump compare to the homeowner’s expectations?

The homeowner expected a Coefficient of Performance (COP) around 3.5, but the system was only delivering a much lower efficiency, falling short of expectations.

What is the significance of the Coefficient of Performance (COP) in evaluating a heat pump?

The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is a key indicator of the heat pump's efficiency. A higher COP means better energy use, while a lower COP indicates poor performance and higher operational costs.

What does the video suggest as a solution to the issues with the heat pump installation?

The video suggests ensuring proper training for engineers, making sure they follow best practices for system sizing and installation, and emphasizing the importance of accurate heat loss calculations.

What new practices are being introduced by engineers to improve heat pump performance?

Newer engineers are adopting more efficient methods for heat pump installation, such as correctly sizing the system and avoiding unnecessary components, to improve performance and energy efficiency.