Underfloor heating and heat pumps prove popular

20th September 2013

By: Ilan Solomons

Creamer Media Staff Writer

  

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Floor heating systems and heat pump inverters are sustainable building solutions company Kyasol’s most popular and reliable method of heating or cooling a room, says Kyasol project engineer Istvan Nyul.

He says, if these systems are combined with photovoltaic power generation, the heat pump sources its electricity solely from the sun, at no cost.

However, Nyul admits that the more complex the heating and cooling systems become, the more users will have to invest in automation technologies to control the devices.

“This is only possible using sophisticated and intelligent com- ponents that can work in conjunction with one another without compromising their reliability and effectiveness,” cautions Nyul, adding that it is just a matter of supplying a system large enough to meet a client’s requirements.

Green Aspects

Nyul highlights that, whether using a solar thermal system or a heat pump, any solution that eliminates or reduces the use of electrical heating elements is a huge step towards reducing the wastage of valuable resources, such as coal, which is South Africa’s main source of generating electricity.

He notes that, while a solar thermal heating system only requires the electricity equivalent of two or three conventional light bulbs, it can produce heat only when the sun is shining.

Conversely, Nyul points out that a heat pump is more versatile, as it can heat a room, produce hot water and switch modes to provide a cooling function in summer.

However, a heat pump uses a significant amount of electricity to drive a compressor.

“Nevertheless, using a heat pump as a primary heat source saves at least 70% on electricity use, compared with electrical heating elements. If a photo- voltaic system is used to power the heat pump to heat the water in the buffer tank, a municipal electricity supply is required only on overcast days,” he states.

Product Uptake

Nyul says there has been a mind-set change in South Africa over the past few years.

“This has primarily been driven by constantly increasing electricity tariffs and people wanting to contribute to a greener planet by reducing their carbon footprint. To be green is not only a temporary fashion – it is a necessity which no one will be able to avoid,” he asserts.
Nevertheless, Nyul says South Africans are still reluctant to embrace the use of these kinds of technologies, mainly because of the high upfront cost of modern energy efficient heating and cooling system components such heat pumps.

He points out that these kinds of systems are mainly installed in residential buildings; how- ever, large offices can also be heated using low-temperature space heating.

Research and Development

“The wheel cannot be reinvented. These technologies have been available worldwide for decades, and have only increased in popularity in South Africa in the past five years,” Nyul emphasises.

He says Kyasol’s knowledge of modern heating and cooling systems is based on European expertise gained over the years.

Research is still developing new techniques and materials to further improve already efficient systems.

“Nowadays, it is just about tweaking the components so that the last bit of energy saving is squeezed out of the respective components,” he stresses.

Dealing with Challenges

Nyul adds that, in Europe and the US, for example, people are more aware of the importance of insulating buildings properly before investing in sophisticated heating and cooling systems.

“Simple actions, such as using insulation under the screed, are non-negotiable necessities, as are insulated ceilings, roofs and walls and double glazing. Even hot- and cold-water pipes must be insulated to reduce heat loss and freezing of the cold water pipes,” he states.

Nyul highlights that the majority of contractors in the South African building industry still seem to be stuck in the past, when electricity consumption was not a major concern and there was no need to correctly insulate homes and equip them with heat pumps.
Forced ventilation air-conditioning systems have been available for decades in South Africa. Costwise they are cheaper to install, but they are not versatile enough. The ones that are commonly in use are not able to heat water for example, Nyul explains.

Kyasol takes a different approach, using one central unit to manage all the heating, hot-water and cooling requirements of a house.

The water-based heating and cooling market is still in its infancy in South Africa; therefore, only a handful of companies offer a similar service, he explains.

Proper maintenance is also linked to the energy efficiency of a system, Nyul states. If maintained properly, a heat pump can run for decades, provided its heat exchanger is cleaned and safety devices are tested at least once every two years.

“Temperature probes should be regularly checked to ensure their measurements are accurate. Pressures in the water system and the expansion vessel need to be verified, while a functional test of the components is also required,” Nyul concludes.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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