Propane heat pump as a quick and sustainable replacement solution

Overgooi Estate is one of the most exclusive villa districts in Almere, located on Lake Gooimeer and in the middle of the green polder landscape. The classic-modern neighborhood includes a villa from 2007, which was fitted with an air/water heat pump and underfloor heating when it was built by fitter Klein Poelhuis. Because the technical lifespan of this heat pump had almost been reached, in November 2022 the resident and installer started looking for a replacement system. Their wish was to renew the system in the summer of 2023, but unfortunately the heat pump unexpectedly broke down in December 2022. Replacement suddenly became urgent, but with today's long delivery times for heat pumps, getting heat and hot tap water back into the home quickly was not easy. Fortunately, WOLF Energy Systems did have a solution available....

The first contacts between WOLF Energy Systems and Klein Poelhuis date back to November 2022. "Our staff attended a training session at WOLF, which focused in particular on the WOLF CHA monoblock," says Frank Haveman, company director at Klein Poelhuis. "An incredibly beautiful solution based on the environmentally friendly refrigerant propane (R290), which perfectly matches the sustainable ambition of our company as well as our many clients." During the same period, Klein Poelhuis received a call from Almere, that the existing heat pump in the home had unfortunately failed. "Because the hot water supply had also failed, we installed an electric boiler to bridge the gap. For heating, the resident could get by temporarily with his gas fireplace. Then the replacement was picked up at an accelerated pace."

Seeing and hearing

"Unfortunately, the supplier of the old system could not supply a new heat pump on short notice," Haveman says. "Therefore, we investigated several alternative systems. Among these was the WOLF CHA monoblock heat pump, which the resident was also quick to warm to. Together we visited the showroom of WOLF Energiesystemen in Kampen, where the heat pump system was set up working. This way the resident could not only see the system, but also hear it. Moreover, he could ask all his (technical) questions. This absolutely convinced him, after which the ball started rolling further..."

Cascade setup

"The size of the villa (approximately 1,200 m3) required a considerable amount of power to be set up," says Allard Roetman, Sales Engineer Sustainable Systems at WOLF Energy Systems. "Could we fill this with one large heat pump? Or were two smaller heat pumps in cascade arrangement more suitable? Based on our extensive calculations, we ultimately chose the latter. In early March, we delivered two WOLF CHA monoblock heat pumps, with a heating capacity of 10 kW each. With the addition of our cascade module, the heat pumps function as a single system." 

More comfort

Thanks to the environmentally friendly refrigerant propane, the heat pumps only have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3, says Roetman. "The air-to-water heat pumps are specially designed for high-temperature heating up to 70°C and are characterized by very high efficiency, quiet operation (35 dB in night operation) and very easy installation." Haveman: "Whereas in the past the residents had an 18 kW heat pump at their disposal, with 20 kW they have just a bit more heating power at their disposal. A good choice, as it turns out, because the residents have since reported back that they experience even more comfort in their homes. A nice compliment for our joint efforts."

Running smoothly

Shortly after completion of the heat pump installation, Haveman looks back on a good and fine project, in which cooperation with both resident and manufacturer was very pleasant. "We received comprehensive installation diagrams and good advice from WOLF, to which our mechanics strictly adhered. As a result, the implementation went flawlessly. We did not experience any setbacks." Roetman: "The heat pumps were suspended from the facade with stainless steel wall brackets. A deliberate choice, because the ground in Almere sometimes subsides (slightly). Thanks to the wall mounting, it prevents the need for future repairs. This allows the resident to enjoy his new heat pump system for even longer without problems."