Heat pumps offer great added value in new and existing buildings

The energy transition is starting to gain momentum. Sustainable energy solutions are rapidly gaining ground in residential construction, which also focuses on a healthy and comfortable indoor climate. Homes are increasingly well insulated, connected to a heat pump network and/or equipped with individual heat pumps. However, it is not easy to make the most of this. Customization is required for each home or project. Itho Daalderop has been active for years to support housing corporations, but also contractors, installers and residents in this and to raise the (energy) sustainability of both new and existing buildings to the desired level.

Over the past 20 years, Itho Daalderop has put a lot of effort into making new homes more sustainable. "Because we can properly advise on building requirements here, we are able to apply smaller capacity heat pumps. This benefits energy consumption, resulting in the ultimate sustainable home," says Peter van Gameren, director of Itho Daalderop. "The line we have set out in new construction, we are happy to extend to existing construction, in which numerous optimizations are also possible. Housing corporations are designated here as the starter motor, because with a housing stock of approximately 2.5 million homes, they can make a major contribution to the energy transition. But private property is also increasingly being made more sustainable. In both cases, we see great opportunities for our heat pumps. However, there are still some hurdles to be taken before they can be implemented. For example, a heat pump requires a well-insulated house. It must also be investigated whether the soil can be used as an energy source and it is important that residents are included in the renovation process. From our propositions Trans-id and Itho Daalderop we are happy to take up this gauntlet by making our knowledge and expertise available to the maximum extent."

Added value in existing construction

In existing construction, most of the living labs "Natural Gas-Free Neighborhoods" are explained with a heat grid, Van Gameren knows. "When you consider that there are five solution approaches to make neighborhoods natural gas-free, that is not entirely justified. Precisely a water-to-water heat pump can be of enormous added value in existing buildings. In combination with an insulated home, this heat pump offers the highest efficiency. Residents also retain freedom of choice in terms of energy suppliers, energy bills are reduced and, in combination with solar panels, a self-sufficient installation is possible. Not unimportantly, a heat pump can also be used for cooling, which guarantees an optimal indoor climate in all seasons."

Be open to alternatives!

"We think that sustainable heat networks can have an excellent place in the energy transition," Van Gameren emphasizes. "Especially for homes that are difficult to insulate, where there is no room for a heat pump and that are built close to a sustainable(!) waste heat source. If these 'conditions' are not met, however, it is advisable to also investigate alternative options. Consider, for example, the installation of a water-to-water heat pump, but also smart combinations such as a low-temperature heat network with our Booster heat pump for efficient hot water production." The collective source combined with a water-to-water heat pump and balanced ventilation is also an innovative solution in making existing buildings more sustainable. "This innovation is not only ultimately sustainable, but now also very interesting from a cost perspective. Residents get much lower energy bills and the social investment is minimal. Moreover, climate change is causing an increasing need for cooling, which this solution can meet in a sustainable way."

Benefits for residents and corporations

To get residents on board with the energy transition, it is important that all the benefits become sufficiently clear, Van Gameren said. "In many places, for example, existing, pre-war homes have already been insulated and preserved to label B/C over the past 10 years. However, even here there are still considerable optimizations possible. For example, the houses lend themselves perfectly to our hybrid HP-M 25 i heat pump, with which an important step towards all-electric can be taken. The air/water heat pump can be easily connected to any type of central heating system. An intelligent controller then automatically selects the most suitable heat source (boiler or heat pump), resulting in substantial gas and CO2 savings. In addition, the investment is regret-free. If the homes are connected to a heat pump network at a later date, the heat pumps can easily be removed from the home and used elsewhere. In this way, the housing stock can be made more sustainable step-by-step, without unnecessary disinvestment."

Maximum freedom of choice

To make the market aware of all heat pump possibilities, Itho Daalderop has developed various sales propositions. "Itho Daalderop produces a wide range of products and solutions for a healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient indoor climate," said Van Gameren. "Development and production take place entirely at our production site in Tiel, which enables us to switch quickly and respond optimally to Dutch requirements and standards. With Klimaatgarant, we focus on the operation of the indoor climate in new-build homes, providing a 25-year energy performance guarantee and completely relieving the occupant. Trans-id and Itho Daalderop, on the other hand, focus on the project-based preservation of the existing housing (corporation) stock and actively contribute ideas for possible solutions. Thanks to these propositions, we offer customers maximum freedom of choice. Both in products and services, where we also offer 'Connected' solutions for remote control and monitoring."