Booster heat pumps are an advanced technology designed to efficiently produce sanitary hot water in multi-residential, commercial, or even tertiary buildings. These water-to-water heat pumps operate autonomously, using energy from a centralized low-temperature heating loop or water circuit. By isolating sanitary water heating from space heating, booster heat pumps significantly reduce energy losses and optimize energy efficiency of the sanitary hot water production and distribution. In this article, we will explore the technology, its benefits, practical applications, integration into smart buildings, and key market players in Europe.
How Booster Heat Pumps Work
Booster heat pumps draw energy from a central heating loop, often supplied by a primary generator such as a heat pump or a gas boiler. The booster heat pump then raises the water temperature to meet sanitary hot water demands, typically up to 60°C or higher, to avoid legionella concerns.
This approach ensures that sanitary hot water is heated locally at the point of use, reducing heat loss associated with long distribution systems. The cycle involves:
- Heat Extraction: The booster heat pump extracts heat from the centralized water circuit or loop.
- Refrigerant Compression: A refrigerant is compressed to elevate its temperature.
- Heat Transfer: Heat is transferred to the sanitary water system, ensuring the required temperature is achieved.
This cycle occur within the same booster heat pump. This decentralized approach separates the heating requirements for space and water, ensuring higher overall system efficiency.
Advantages of Booster Heat Pumps
1. Energy Efficiency
- By heating water at the point of use, booster heat pumps reduce distribution losses, achieving up to 30-40% energy savings compared to traditional centralized systems.
2. Cost Savings
- Reduced energy consumption translates into lower operating costs, offering a favorable return on investment, especially in multi-residential buildings.
3. Sustainability
- Many booster heat pumps use environmentally friendly refrigerants, such as CO2, . that fit many countries’ and regions’ energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
4. Flexible Integration
- Booster heat pumps are compatible with a variety of centralized heating sources, such as heat pumps, gas boilers, and renewable systems.
5. Enhanced Comfort
- Reliable and consistent production of sanitary hot water ensures improved user satisfaction in residential and commercial settings.
Examples of Applications
1. Residential Apartment Buildings
In buildings with centralized heating systems, such as a geothermal heat pump or district heating, booster heat pumps can be installed in individual units to provide sanitary hot water locally. This minimizes heat loss from distribution pipes.
2. Hotels and Hospitality
Hotels often require large volumes of sanitary hot water. Booster heat pumps ensure high-temperature water production efficiently, reducing energy costs while maintaining guest comfort.
3. Commercial and Office Buildings
In office buildings with centralized heating systems, booster heat pumps can efficiently meet sanitary hot water needs for restrooms and kitchens.
Integration into Smart Buildings
Booster heat pumps are increasingly integrated into smart building ecosystems, offering advanced features such as:
1. Communication with Building Management Systems (BMS)
- Data Sharing: Support for standard protocols like BACnet or Modbus allows seamless integration with BMS.
- Remote Monitoring: Facility managers can track performance and energy consumption in real time.
- Predictive Maintenance: Advanced diagnostics help identify potential issues before they lead to system failures.
2. Energy Optimization
- Synchronization with renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, allows booster heat pumps to operate during periods of peak renewable energy production.
- Time-of-use energy pricing can be leveraged to reduce costs further.
Leading European Brands and Technologies
1. Mitsubishi Electric
- Product: QAHV-N560YA CO2 Heat Pump
- Price: €15,000–€20,000
- Features: High-temperature output, environmentally friendly refrigerant.
2. Thercon (part of Groupe Atlantic)
- Product: Heat Pump Booster SANI
- Features: Compact design, high efficiency, BMS compatibility.
- Price: depending on the power output and application.
3. Stiebel Eltron
- Product: WWK 300 Heat Pump
- Features: Quiet operation, designed for residential buildings.
- Price: €8,000–€12,000
4. Aermec
- Product: Booster H Heat Pump
- Features: Flexible installation, tailored for European markets.
- Price: €9,000–€14,000
Conclusion
Booster heat pumps represent an innovative and efficient solution for sanitary hot water production in modern buildings. By leveraging decentralized heating and minimizing energy losses, they provide substantial benefits in energy efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability. Their seamless integration into smart building systems further enhances their appeal, making them an ideal choice for residential, commercial, and hospitality applications.
By adopting booster heat pumps, you align with PlanItPower’s mission to Inspire energy and embrace a sustainable future.
English 
Français