Abstract
Cold-climate variable-capacity air-to-air heat pumps (VCHPs) have the potential to significantly reduce energy use in the Canadian residential sector. However, optimizing their integration in the Canadian climate can be a challenge, with efficiency and operating behaviour heavily dependent on ambient conditions, building thermal loads, modulating capability and the units’ individual performance characteristics. Better understanding how these factors influence energy performance can lead to improved system selection, and ensure that high efficiency space heating systems contribute towards meeting Canada’s emission reduction targets. This study outlines three major factors – individual performance characteristics (cold climate capacity, part load performance), modulation ratio and sizing – related to VCHP selection, and examines their relative impact on annual energy use and operating behaviour using a simulation-based approach.
Highlights
The building sector accounts for nearly 17% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions [1], with space heating representing close to 63% of the energy end use
To assess the impact of varying the modulation ratio and the sizing factor on annual energy use of the two variable-capacity heat pumps (VCHPs) units considered in this paper, annual system simulations were performed in TRNSYS v.18 using the appropriate CWEC weather file, with a 2.5-minute time step to more accurately represent system controls
This paper presents a simulation-based assessment of various impact factors, including specific part-load performance characteristics, sizing approaches and modulation ratios, on the annual heating energy performance of cold-climate variable-capacity heat pumps
Summary
The building sector accounts for nearly 17% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions [1], with space heating representing close to 63% of the energy end use. To reduce this energy end use, a Market Transformation Roadmap has been developed identifying initiatives to increase the adoption of high performing systems in the Canadian residential and commercial building sector. Heat pumps are identified in the Roadmap as one of key space heating technologies having a Seasonal performance >100%, their integration in Canadian buildings is hindered due to uncertain seasonal performance and ability of the system to meet desired heating loads. Large capacity degradations at colder temperatures associated with traditional air-source units can reduce energy savings in Canada. The market has seen the introduction of cold-climate variable-capacity heat pumps (VCHPs)
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