Generally speaking heat pumps are much more efficient running at lower temperatures than would typically operate a conventional gas boiler. Around 35⁰C - 45⁰C would be an ideal flow temperature to operate a heat pump whilst maintaining a high efficiency. These low temperatures would suit low temperature heating systems such as underfloor heating and thermally efficient buildings with good levels of insulation.

Heat pumps tend to work best when run at relatively low flow temperatures for long periods of time. Therefore to get the most from your heat pump you should avoid frequently starting and stopping your heat pump and try to run it at as low a temperature as possible in order to maintain the desired comfort level within the building.

Control of commercial scale heat pumps can be via BEMS/BMS systems or heat pump specific controllers. The best solution for a given project depends on a number of factors such as the level of flexibility needed in the control system and also the integration of the heat pump within the wider heating system. In any case, please contact us and we can discuss what best works for your project.

With careful sizing and control of an air source heat pump and gas boiler hybrid system, up to 80% of the kWh can be covered by the heat pump. This will depend on the actual operating conditions, but represents significant coverage of heat demand via the heat pump. Using weather compensation to optimise low flow temperatures is important if good COP levels are to be achieved by the heat pump. The boilers should be controlled to operate when there is high heat demand on cold days. Maximising use of the heat pumps in this way will give good carbon savings compared to gas boilers alone.

With careful system design air source heat pumps can be integrated into systems alongside ground source heat pumps, conventional gas boiler and solar thermal.

There are a number of factors that need to be considered when deciding if your commercial building is suitable for heat pumps but the starting point could be; can the heating system run with a flow temperature of 35⁰C - 45⁰C? Underfloor heating or oversized radiators could make this a possibility. If your building requires higher flow temperatures than would typically suit a heat pump, a hybrid system could be considered which could offer flow temperatures comparable to a boiler gas only system but with some of the carbon saving benefits of a heat pump.