Your source for water source heat pumps
Posted on: March 4, 2015
- In: HVAC
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Energy efficiency. Sustainability. Green building. You’d be hard pressed not to come across these and other energy buzz words in the construction industry nowadays. This movement may seem modern, but did you know that water-source (or geothermal) heat pumps – one of the most efficient system options on the market – have been in use since the late 1940s?
For extreme climates like Texas, the water-source heat pump (WSHP) was a much needed solution to the traditional air-source heat pump system. Rather than using the outside air as the exchange medium, WSHPs use either geothermal heat or water tempered by a cooling tower/boiler. Either application uses a more constant temperature source. This creates less work for the system to output a comfortable temperature, resulting in major efficiency gains. While the technology has been around since the 1940s, vast improvements in the last 25 years have made the WSHP a viable option for all types of facilities.
Because of their use of individual units, WSHPs provide great flexibility in design. The zoning ability makes them a great fit for schools and multi-family buildings, as well as offices and hotels. Government projects also see great benefit in WSHPs as they can help meet energy requirements and contribute to LEED credits. Facilities with existing water features, like a pond, can often save money on WSHP installation as the water can be used as the heat exchange medium, rather than digging a trench to reach the earth or using a cooling tower/boiler. The durable construction of WSHPs gives them an estimated 25-year lifespan, and end-users can expect to see significant paybacks in 5-10 years.
Daikin water-source heat pumps can save energy, while also reducing design, installation and operating costs. Here is a breakdown of the benefits for all the involved parties of a project:
Owner, Engineer and Contractor Benefits
The Building Owner
■ High efficiency units reduce energy consumption/operating costs and can contribute to earning points toward LEED® certification.
■ Open Choices control feature gives you the flexibility to select standalone thermostat operation or easy, low cost integration with the BAS of your choice using an add-on communication module – keep it in the family and use HTS BAS for your controls needs
■ R-410A refrigerant has no ozone depletion potential or phaseout date, helping to minimize environmental impact and protect against refrigerant availability issues over the economic life of your equipment investment.
■ Large fan wheel, quiet compressor selections and low vibration design promote quiet operation.
■ Double-sloped polymer drain pan and optional closed cell insulation promote superior indoor air quality.
■ Durable construction promotes long life, reliable operation.
The Engineer
■ Boiler/tower or geothermal unit selections provide flexibility in designing the system that best meets the performance and budget requirements of your project.
■ Multiple configurations reduce design time and cost by allowing you to avoid obstructions and use minimum ductwork.
■ Multiple features and options (ECM motor, desuperheater, hot gas reheat, integral electric heat, painted cabinet) give you the flexibility to select units that closely match application requirements.
Installing Contractor / Service Personnel
■ Small footprint design makes it easier to meet space requirements of new construction and replacement applications.
■ Flush FTP water fittings save time in making water connections using one wrench.
■ Factory-installed filter rack saves time and expense to field-install a filter rack.
■ External LED status lights allow quick troubleshooting – no need to open up the unit.
■ Easy access to the unit compressor (2-sides), fan section (1-side), motor (1-side) and unit controls (front access).
■ A removable orifice ring allows the blower and motor to be removed without removing the blower housing or disconnecting the unit from the ductwork.
In addition to all this, the HTS parts department keeps Daikin Enfinity WSHPs in stock at most of their locations across Texas, plus provides certified factory training throughout the state. Contact your local store today to learn more about availability, pricing, shipping and training.
If you’re interested in using Daikin WSHPs for your next project or simply want to learn more about the product, contact your local HTS system representative today!
Sources: daikinapplied.com, http://lit.daikinapplied.com/bizlit/DocumentStorage/WaterSourceHeatPump/Brochures/ASP_31-249_Enfinity_Floor-Mounted_WSHP.pdf, http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/geothermal-heat-pumps
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