How do heat pumps work?

Heat passes, through a reverse refrigeration cycle, from a higher temperature to a lower one; heat pumps can shift heat flow towards the other direction, using a relatively small quantity of clean energy. The great benefits in term of costs and emission reductions that the units provide are due to the fact that heat is transferred directly from renewable sources that are available in nature: air, water or the ground. This is where the name “air-air air-water heat pumps”, etc. comes from, the former term indicating where free energy is drawn from, the latter one indicating where the thermal energy is transferred to. Since heat pumps consume less primary energy than conventional heating systems, they are an important technology for reducing benzene emissions, which damage the environment, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX). Further information on heat pump technology is available in the Technologies area, by clicking on this link.

Can heat pumps heat /cool the whole building by themselves?

A heat pump appropriately dimensioned in accordance with the type of building and in accordance with the type of heating/ cooling system, can provide domestic heating as well as the production of sanitary hot water for the required period. The pump cannot operate and provide heating below external temperatures lower than -15° C.

What should I do if the external temperature is below -15°C outside?

On the coldest days, when the temperature goes below -15°C, after the temperature of thermo-accumulation is below the preset minimum, the auxiliary heating system should be inserted, such as a pellet stove, a gas boiler, etc. or a high temperature Templari pump should be used. In fact, all our heat pumps (Polar and H20T series) operate in temperatures down to -20°C in conditions of "dry" cold.

What is a chiller? What are the differences with respect to a heat pump?

A chiller and a heat pump are very similar machines in design and operation principle with the main difference being that chillers are designed to cool, while heat pumps are designed to heat. Therefore, the chiller is designed especially to remove heat from a liquid through the compression of gas during the refrigeration cycle. All its components, such as the compressor insulation, fin distance, etc…, are designed to produce cold and not to produce heat. On the contrary, heat pumps are provided with more sophisticated components and, in addition to their main purpose of producing heat, at the same external temperature, they are better than chillers for cooling the liquid.

Why is floor heating the best solution for heat pumps?

Floor heating is ideal for optimizing the operation of heat pumps because when they operate at low temperatures (about 30°C) the heat pump makes a smaller temperature jump between the environment where it draws heat, the external air, and the destination tank, the heating system. The more limited the thermal skip, the more the COP is maintained at a high level.

If we have radiator system, can we use an air-water heat pump to produce heat?

Yes, our heat pumps can produce hot water up to a maximum of 65°C. Of course, when the temperature of delivery to the heating system increases, the system’s energy efficiency decreases.

Do the unit require an inertia tank?

Not all the units; heat pumps with inverter have the advantage that they do not need an inertia tank for accumulating service water for the heating system. In fact, the inverter can directly control the system. A boiler will be used to accumulate sanitary water. Since "on – off" heat pumps are not provided with an inverter, they should be connected to some tanks to accumulate both service and sanitary water. This is due to the fact “on-off” pumps switch on-off too often; if this occurs to often in an hour the compressor may fail. Therefore, a buffer is arranged which, in addition to solving this problem, allows the pump to operate for a shorter period and allows it to operate only in daytime when it is hotter, making use of the heat in the tank for the rest of the day .

Can I install the heat pump in the service room with the fans turned towards the external wall?

These types of heat pumps have a very high air capacity (about 4,000 - 5,000 m3/h) and, consequently, air cannot be drawn from the technical room. This is the reason why heat pumps of these sizes should be installed outside.

The plumber does not recommend cooling through the floor due to the formation of condensate. Is this a problem?

By installing some additional fancoil units for dehumidifying, there is no problem with using the radiating system to cool the house. However, it is crucial that the windows not be opened when the floor is refrigerated, otherwise, condensation would form.

Can I heat also my swimming pool through your system?

Yes, heat pumps are the ideal choice to heat swimming pools, even when coupled with a thermal solar system. The only thing to keep in mind is to use a titanium heat exchanger which is not corroded by the chloride in the swimming pool. Our heat pumps suitable for this purpose are the ones of the Swim series.

What data is required for sizing?

To get a heat pump that is the right size for you, fill in the form on our web site at the following link. Once all the required data is available we will provide you with a suitable size and discuss on all your requirements and/or doubts.

Which benefits do heat pumps provide for the environment?

Heat pumps replace traditional energy sources such as oil, gas and coal and reduce CO2 emissions (greenhouse gases) and other discharge gases (smog). Therefore, precious fossil fuel will be available for more important purposes than simple combustion. Like heat pumps, the thermal solar systems naturally provide the same advantages.

I would like to combine a photovoltaic system with a thermal solar system and an air-water heat pump: is this possible? Is it convenient?

Energy produced through a photovoltaic system, in addition to being transmitted to the network and sold to the managing authority (G.S.E. or energy service provider), is also consumed. The self consumption can provide machinery, lighting, computers, etc., as well as heating and cooling. Since heat pumps consume electrical energy, coupling with a photovoltaic system represents the ideal solution which can make them self-sufficient up to 100%. If the thermal solar system is also integrated, an optimum solution is achieved from an ecological point of view and, on the economic level, guarantees the production of both sanitary and service hot water, at a cost equal to zero covers 100% of requirements in summer and up to 90% in autumn and spring.

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How much is saved by using the vacuum pipe solar thermal systems?

Heat pipe vacuum solar panel systems provides a savings of about 80-90% of the annual costs to heat sanitary water, in addition to a 40-50% savings for domestic heating. In the case of integration with the boiler (in case of floor heating systems).This means free energy and significant savings also in view of the continuous increases of traditional heating methods. In addition, the installation of a solar panel contributes to decreased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and to offsetting the progressive increase in heating our planet.

Do the pipes break easily?

Templari solar pipes, made in transparent borosilicate glass, provide a high resistance to hail up to 25 mm of diameter. All the testing on our products have been carried out and certified by the German organization TUV. (download the certification) The results are much higher than those required by standards. In any case, a great advantage of the pipe panels with respect to plane panels is that through a vacuum the solar circuit can continue to operate even when a number of pipes are damaged. In this case, it just loses its efficiency, until the damaged pipes are replaced.

Can integration with the heating system be carried out through your vacuum solar panels?

Our vacuum solar panels are ideal for heating integration because they can pick up solar heat even if external air temperatures are lower than 0°C. The solar system for the production of sanitary hot water and the integration with the heating system uses the Integra model boiler, associated with vacuum pipe panels suitable to the thermal requirements of the house. This system can greatly reduce thermal energy requirements from non-renewable sources. In winter the sun is lower on the horizon, so it is preferable to install the panels with an inclination higher than 45° to have an optimal yield.

Where should heat pipe vacuum solar panels be assembled?

Ideally on faces oriented towards south or inclined not more than 15/30 degrees with respect to this orientation. As a general rule, the optimal collector inclination should be equal to the geographic latitude. Small variations of inclination which do not compromise the system efficiency can be accepted. However, to integrate with the heating system they should be inclined by 60-70 degrees.

Does a solar system operate only when the sun is shining and it is hot?

A Templari heat pipe vacuum pipes solar system is characterized by the capacity to pick up and store a high quantity of solar radiation to be converted fast and efficiently into heat in every season. Therefore, even in winter, it contributes to providing hot water for sanitary fittings and/or heating.

Are specific requirements required if I go on vacation and do not use the solar panel for a long period?

A solar system should have the proper dimensions: in this way it should supply only the required hot water. Even when you are on vacation, the system, if the panels are not covered, will continue to operate and to heat water in the solar tank. To avoid too high of temperatures, it is customary to install a safety valve located on the tank. When the water reaches 85 degrees, it is partly expelled so as to let in cold water, to set the system for proper operation. On the contrary, to avoid water freezing in the colder periods, the electronic control unit operates by activating the pump.

How much can I save with integration with the heating system and the production of sanitary hot water?

The savings are in accordance with the number of panels to be installed. Broadly speaking, they may even reach the order of 50% with respect to the heating system which is now being used. Of course, low temperature systems are more advantageous. As far as sanitary hot water, the savings are about 80%.

Is a buffer required to integrate with heating?

Yes, a thermal water storage tank sized in accordance with the zone and the number of panels to be installed is required. In this way, energy is accumulated and made available when there is no sun, allowing the water temperature to be kept under control, for example at night.

What kind of maintenance does a heat pipe vacuum solar system require?

The collector does not require any maintenance. The pipes can be easily controlled because the dirt and dust are removed by rain and wind. All the components are made up of high quality materials, not subject to corrosion and resistant to atmospheric agents. The only maintenance concerns the boiler where every two years the magnesium anode should be checked and, in case it is particularly corroded, replaced. An alternative to the magnesium anode is the electronic anode.

How long does installation take?

The vacuum pipe collectors are light and modular and can be installed by qualified personnel in 1-2 days. However, the assembly/disassembly of the pipes is very simple and does not require any specific equipment because the pipes are very light and can be carried manually onto the roof.

Does integration with heating also work with the radiators or only with floor heating?

It is ideal to operate it on low temperature heating systems (such as the floor) because in winter it is hard to have temperatures of 60-70 degrees, therefore, using water at 35 C°, as is typical of floor heating, the operation is optimal. The pre-existing radiators can be used and coupled with a additional heat sources such as a heat pump.

Can it be coupled with a heat pump and photovoltaic system?

The integration of the heating system with solar panels is the ideal system to couple with a heat pump. In fact, by pre-heating the water, the heat pump operates with a higher COP and therefore saves electric energy with the same thermal energy transferred to the heating system water storage unit. If, in addition, there is a photovoltaic system appropriately dimensioned to supply the heat pump, the house can become fully passive by resetting its C02 production.

Is a thermal solar system convenient from the economical point of view?

It should be taken into account that the thermal solar system prevents the owner from price increases related to conventional energy sources. In any case, the thermal solar system is not competitive if compared with other energy saving measures.

Which are the operating and maintenance costs?

In the past few years, solar systems are more and more reliable and usually require only a minimum commitment of ordinary maintenance. In case of forced circulation systems, the consumption of the electric pump is estimated to be around €10-20/year.

How will technology and costs develop?

All the components are technically mature. Thanks to mass production and competition on the market, prices have been reduced considerably in the past few years and since fossil energy sources will be depleted in the next decades, domestic solar techniques will become more and more indispensable on long term.

How can a solar system be protected from freezing and how often should it be checked?

All the components are technically mature. Thanks to mass production and competition on the market, prices have been reduced considerably in the past few years and since fossil energy sources will be depleted in the next decades, domestic solar techniques will become more and more indispensable on long term.

I often read the term "SHW": what does it mean?

The term SHW is an acronym for Sanitary Hot Water.

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