Heat pump trends

Apr. 06, 2010 – In times of climate change and global warming, we are looking for energy efficient technologies that use renewable energy sources to keep us warm in winter and cool in summer. The IEA gives in its newsletter some strong arguments why heat pumps are the way to go and bring the example of Canada looking into natural refrigerants.

Heat pumps are one of the fastest growing domestic technologies. They use renewable energy, are energy efficient and have a predicted product life time of 25 to 50 years. True, their first procurement is more expensive. But considering rising crude oil and energy prices, the investment pays of in 10-12 years, allowing savings of 30-70% on heating and 20-50% on cooling costs over conventional systems.

It is estimated that a 30% market penetration of heat pumps in retrofit heating markets could allow for global greenhouse gas emissions reductions of up to 8% thanks to the energy efficiency of heat pumps. Heat pumps are used in heating, ventilation and air conditioners as well as more recently in water heaters and dryers. In general heat pumps are used for upgrading low-temperature free heat from renewable sources (air, water, ground, waste heat) to useful temperatures.

Climate change, global warming and energy crises will motivate more and more stringent regulations and drive governments to subsidise technologies that promise to help reduce emissions while taping into renewable energies. The Canadian government does so with up to $4,500 subsidies for single homes implementing energy saving projects that reduce energy-related greenhouse gases and air pollution

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Source: R744.com