Heat pumps work differently... And that has consequences for the water in your installation
Of course, you know that a heat pump works differently than a central heating boiler. Lower temperatures, smaller ∆t (Delta T: the difference between flow and return temperature), higher flow rate (also called flow) and longer operating times. This makes the system economical and comfortable. The question that often remains is:
What does that actually mean for the water in the installation? And above all: what does that mean for a heat pump that will not be installed in a new home, but in an existing installation?
In practice: most heat pumps go into existing systems
In the Netherlands, two-thirds to even three-quarters of heat pumps are installed during renovation. This means that the heat pump is connected to a delivery system that has been in use for years, sometimes decades.
Radiators, underfloor heating loops and pipes have done their job under a central heating boiler. That often went well for years. But no one knows exactly what has built up in that system over the years. And that doesn't have to be a problem either... but it can be if you expand your installation with a hybrid heat pump or even replace the central heating completely with an all-electric heat pump.
What changes when you switch to a heat pump
A heat pump works with lower flow temperatures and a smaller ∆t. In order to be able to transport sufficient heat, heat pumps allow more water to flow through the installation. They operate at a higher flow rate.
This can cause two things to happen that were less common in the old central heating situation:
- Dirt particles that previously remained quietly somewhere in a pipe or radiator can now come loose: With the central heating boiler, the water flowed less quickly and less constantly. With a heat pump, you suddenly get those particles moving and they go through the system with them.
- After installing the heat pump, you readjust the delivery system on the water side: This can lead to parts that were hardly active for years now fully participating again. Pipes or radiators that ran less water through them get a higher flow again after balancing. Dirt that has been left there over the years is now just washed in the direction of that beautiful heat pump you just installed. You don't want that.
Why this directly affects returns and costs
Polluted system water disrupts heat transfer. This means that the heat pump has to work harder to provide the same comfort. The result: more energy consumption, lower efficiency and higher costs.
On top of that, there is extra maintenance and wear. Heat pumps are more complex and therefore much more sensitive to dirt than central heating boilers. As a result, they are more likely to malfunction or suffer damage themselves. When problems pile up, discussions arise about responsibilities and guarantees. Not because someone did something wrong, but because the system was not prepared for the complexity and different operation of a heat pump.
Good system water quality does the exact opposite. It ensures that heat is transferred properly, that the heat pump continues to work efficiently and that the efficiency remains intact in the long term. And with that, the heat pump pays for itself faster, as the customer expects.
What you notice in practice
What was not a visible problem in the old situation with a central heating boiler can suddenly have consequences with a heat pump. Installations that are technically well constructed do not achieve the promised return or cause complaints after only a few years. Malfunctions or inexplicable reports occur. Pumps make more noise or wear out faster. And the consumer notices that he saves less than what he expected with such a substantial investment.
For you as an installer, this often feels unfair. The heat pump is well chosen and correctly placed. Yet you have to go back. To fix malfunctions or to provide explanations.
Why this makes your craftsmanship visible
For the consumer, a heat pump is a promise: lower energy costs, comfort and sustainability. For you, it is a business card.
Installers who understand what a heat pump does to an existing installation are able to deliver on that promise. Fewer breakdowns, less unplanned maintenance and a system that still does what it's supposed to do even after years.
At Spirotech, we therefore do not only look at individual parts, but at the whole. To the system water as a connecting factor between heat pump, delivery system and efficiency. Not to make it complicated, but to help you deliver installations that you can confidently put your name to.
Would you like to read more about our solutions?
Smart heat pump protection
