16/20 kW propane heat pump is ideal solution for small utility projects such as stores

HEAT PUMP FOR STORES

At a high-profile location on the N384 ring road in Franeker, Colors@Home Dijkstra's new contemporary home furnishing store will open next summer. The store in window decorations, curtains, floors, outdoor blinds and beds moves into three units of a new multi-tenant building. To ensure a comfortable shopping environment, Sangers Installatietechniek fitted the units with all necessary mechanical and electrical installations. For heating the units, the installer from Kootstertille resolutely chose the new CHA-monoblock 16/20 kW air/water heat pump of WOLF Energiesystemen.

Colors@Home Dijkstra purchased the retail units even before the construction of the multi-company building, which allowed architectural and installation components to be perfectly matched, says owner Bert Sangers of Sangers Installatietechniek. "As a total installer we make all installations for the new residential store. From sewerage to water pipes, light and power installations, fire alarm systems and burglar alarms. And we are also responsible for the heating and cooling of the units. On the first floor, underfloor heating pipes have been cast into the floor and connected to two large distributors. And the piping towards the heat pump has also been pre-cast, cleverly eliminating visible work. Because the building has large areas of glass, the first floor is also cooled."

Exterior part in view

The underfloor heating is powered by the latest CHA monoblock 16/20 kW air/water heat pump from WOLF Energy Systems, which is set up in front of the exterior facade. "The pavers already made a nice elevation for this during construction, including a recess for condensation water drainage," Sangers says. "Next to the indoor unit is an electric boiler that provides hot water preparation for the cafeteria."

Environmentally friendly, energy efficient and quiet

The choice of the CHA monoblock heat pump for Colors@Home Dijkstra was a logical one, according to Sangers. "We have been working with the 7 and 10 kW CHA monoblock heat pumps for several years. Indeed, in 2019 these were one of the first heat pumps on the market with refrigerant R290 (propane), which are also very energy-efficient and low-noise. In addition, the systems can be monitored remotely very easily. We already have many CHA heat pumps in the field, which function without any problems. And in the unlikely event of a malfunction, we have very short lines of communication with WOLF Energiesystemen. We have good contact in terms of service, maintenance and advice. That is why we also dare to issue a ten-year warranty on the heat pumps."

Efficient, cost-effective and beautiful

Initially, the intention in Franeker was to install a 7 and 10 kW heat pump in cascade. "However, in this case you have to deal with two outdoor units and two indoor units," Sangers says. "When WOLF Energiesystemen told us about the introduction of the 16/20 kW heat pump, we immediately switched to this. After all, this solution is more efficient, more economical and more aesthetically pleasing to the outside wall. Thanks to the innovation, we can now also realize larger installations more easily."

Also for the small utility market

The CHA monoblock air-to-water heat pump was developed very specifically with a view to high efficiency (SCOP = 5.46) and simple and safe installation, says Wim Beltman, technical consultant for Sustainable Total Solutions at WOLF Energy Systems. "A low-speed fan in the innovative blade design, a cleverly engineered geometry of after-conductors and a sound-absorbing EPP core also ensure an impressively low sound pressure level." Initially, the heat pump was only available in 7 and 10 kW outputs. "With these capacities, we have been responding to heat pump demand in new homes for several years. Because the heat pumps can deliver a high supply temperature of up to 70°C, at an outside temperature of -10°C, they are also perfectly suited for renovation projects in which, for example, the outer shell is already post-insulated." Since the beginning of this year, the CHA monoblock has also been available in an output of 16/20 kW. "This offers a solution not only in larger and older homes that cannot meet the insulation values for new construction, but also in the small utility market, such as in stores. With the CHA monoblock series, we can cascade five heat pumps, which means that an installed capacity of as much as 100 kW is now possible."

Propane as a refrigerant

The CHA monoblock uses the natural, environmentally friendly and future-oriented refrigerant propane (R290, GWP = 3). "With this we are in line, for example, with the European F-gases regulation, which aims to phase out the use of synthetic refrigerants step by step. R290 is exempt from restrictions for years to come. Also with regard to the approaching CO2 tax, which makes an investment in propane increasingly interesting financially as well. If required, the CHA monoblock heat pump can be combined with our CHC heat pump center, in which a 300-liter hot water storage tank, expansion vessel, pump and all control technology work intelligently together." A nice added bonus are the aesthetic choices made by WOLF Energy Systems in developing the heat pump. Thanks to the gray color scheme, the outdoor unit blends nicely into the facade.

Some performance data of WOLF's CHA series.