Heat Pump FAQs
Who are Calorex?
Calorex heat pumps are the UK 's leading manufacturer of heat pump technology with an unrivalled international reputation over 30 years for product design and development to the highest technical and engineering standards. Their reputation has evolved from the intrinsic reliability and quality of the products which continue to be specified in many specialist design and build applications around the world.
What is a heat pump and how do they work?
A heat pump is an electrically powered appliance which utilises compressor and refrigeration technology to transfer heat from one place to another. Similar to your refrigerator which transfers heat from inside the appliance to the outside, Calorex heat pumps transfer heat from outside your home to the inside. Calorex heat pumps can transfer heat from either the ground or air adjacent to your property and upgrade the temperature so you can use the heat in your home.
Can the heat pump supply my domestic hot water and my space heating?
Yes it can. Calorex dual temperature heat pumps are unique in that they can supply all of your domestic hot water at 65°C directly from the heat pump itself and all of your heating requirements at temperatures up to 55°C.
Calorex heat pumps do not require the use of resistance heaters to raise temperatures to 65°C and are therefore much more efficient and economical than other products which are available. Most imported heat pumps can only supply temperatures up to 55°C from their circuitry and use electrical resistance heaters to upgrade the temperature to 65°C for domestic hot water storage. This method dramatically reduces efficiency and increases running costs.
How does a ground source heat pump collect its energy?
Ground source heat pumps work on the principle of extracting low grade solar energy which is stored in infinite amounts in the ground around us and then upgrading this energy into useable high grade heat for use in your home. This is achieved by placing a heat exchanger (ground collector) made of special grade pipe into the ground next to your property and simply allowing it to absorb the freely available stored solar energy from the immediate area around it. The heat pump circulates water (with a small amount of anti freeze) through the ground collector. The water absorbs energy and then passes it to the heat pump where the energy is enhanced and transferred for use in your home.
Where does the stored energy come from and how deep is it?
The earth has the natural ability to absorb and store heat from the sun as well as heat from within the earth. Just a few feet below ground there is an average temperature of between 10°C and 14°C. This trapped energy is a vast reserve of low grade heat just waiting to be released and used.
How do air source heat pumps work?
Calorex air source heat pumps can be one of the most cost effective methods of realising a renewable energy source as free energy is always available in the atmosphere and there is no necessity for disruptive and sometimes expensive ground collector installations as with ground source systems. The principle is exactly the same as with a ground source heat pump but instead of tapping into stored thermal energy in the ground, air source heat pumps take freely available energy directly from the atmospheric air which surrounds your home. Even though air temperatures vary at different times of year there is always a vast amount of thermal energy available. Calorex air source heat pumps will operate even when the outside air temperature is minus 15°C!
Is this thermal energy in the ground and air really free?
Yes. It is free, untaxed and yours to use. It is always available, renewable and truly sustainable. You pay only for extracting the heat which is the electrical running cost of your heat pump.
How efficient are heat pump installations?
Calorex heat pumps are designed specifically for use in North European climatic conditions. Provided that due care is taken matching up the heat pump and space heating system with the thermal characteristics of your property, every kilowatt of energy used to run the heat pump will deliver three to four kilowatts of heat into your home. This equates to rated efficiencies of between 300% and 400% A gas boiler is about 85% efficient!
Can I use a standard 240v electrical supply?
Yes. All Calorex domestic ground and air source heat pumps are designed to run on standard single phase 230v supply. Unlike many others all of the heat pumps manufactured by Calorex operate with exceptionally low staring currents.
How large are the heat pumps?
Unlike many imported products that are available, Calorex heat pumps have been designed to have an extremely small installation footprint, optimising valuable living space in and around your home.
Is installation difficult?
No. Installation is simple and uncomplicated. Calorex heat pumps are supplied with clear installation and operating instructions and are straightforward to install and connect to your home heating system.
Are Calorex heat pumps environmentally friendly?
Yes, absolutely. Calorex heat pumps will reduce carbon emissions from your space and hot water heating by at least 50% versus gas and even more when compared to oil, LPG and standard electric heating. The electrical supply used to power your heat pump may well generate some emissions at source (power station) but most electricity suppliers now offer green electricity from renewable generation sources. If you use this type of renewable power supply, your property will be completely heated and yet produce ZERO carbon emissions!
Are heat pumps safe and what about servicing?
Heat pumps are completely safe and a tried and tested technology. There are no hazardous gas emissions, no flammable oil, LPG or gas pipes, no unsightly fuel storage and no flues or chimneys with heat pump installations? There is no need for regular servicing or expensive annual safety checks but we are always available just in case you need some after sales support.
How do running costs compare with conventional energy sources?
In a modern, well insulated property a Calorex heat pump system offers industry best efficiencies and low running costs. The very best of modern condensing gas boilers may only be a little more expensive to run but with ever increasing gas prices, regular servicing and maintenance, the costs soon add up so remember to add these into your financial calculations when comparing costs. An oil boiler or LPG system will cost considerably more to run and electric heating can be as much as three times more expensive!
Where do I get more information including pricing?
Heat pumps need to be properly sized and specified to suit the requirements of your property and your needs. There are numerous possibilities and configurations which is why we are not able to provide any general pricing here.
Simply call us on 05 53 62 31 35 or email us at info@ecopower.eu.com and we will ensure you get all the information you need.
