Water Source Heat Pump

A water source heat pump operates similarly to an air source heat pump, except that it absorbs and distributes heat via water rather than air. This home comfort system is not for everyone, but it may be worth examining if you live near a well, lake, or other natural water sources.

All types of heat pumps may offer year-round temperature management by pumping heat into and out of the house during winter and summer. The primary distinction between heat pumps is where they gain or lose heat.

Traditional air source heat pumps derive their heat from the outside air, including a significant quantity of heat even when it is quite cold. They utilise this heat to keep the home warm in the winter; however, these heat pumps may become ineffective if the outside temperature drops below freezing point.

In contrast, water source heat pumps operate on the same fundamental concept as air source heat pumps, but they collect heat from a water body instead of air. Here, water is circulated via a network of pipes at the bottom of a water body. As the water flows, it takes heat from the lake or reservoir and transfers it back to your residence.

Heat is removed from your house in the summer and is discharged into cooler water outside. Water source heat pumps are more efficient for cooling than heating compared to the air-source heat pumps. Water source heat pumps are an excellent alternative if you reside in a colder climate.

A water source heat pump requires access to a suitable body of water; therefore, it is not accessible for everyone. If you reside near a body of water, though, a water source heat pump is a viable option.

How do water source heat pumps work?

The existing system is made up of reverse-cycle heat pump units that are linked together by a water loop. Depending on where they are installed, each unit provides a different level of air comfort. The heat pumps will move heat from the water loop through the unit’s refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger and into the air during the colder months.

When the weather is cold and more heat is needed to keep the building warm, the units will be in a heating mode. Due to this, heat is transferred to each unit from the water loop. If the water loop does not have enough heat, an energy-efficient fluid heater can be installed to heat the water.

The water should be near the house, so the pump does not have to work too hard. This is because the level of efficiency could go down, affecting how much energy you save. If the diameter of the pipe is big enough, water can come from a long way away, specifically if it flows downhill. Before installing a water source heat pump, you should take the necessary permission.

Advantages of Water Source Heat Pumps 

• Compared to traditional heating systems, they emit less CO2.
• Depending on which heating system you replace, the Energy Saving Trust (EST) estimates that a heat pump may save you from £395 to £2,000 per year.
• The RHI plan pays heat pump owners between approximately £2,325 and £3,690 per year for a four-bedroom detached house.
• Because energy is required to run the pump that circulates the water through the loop, you get between two and four heat units for every unit of electricity used by the heat pump, making this a cost-effective method to heat a structure.

Efficiency of Water Source Heat Pump 

A heat pump cannot possibly receive its heat from other things in the environment. Heat pumps that draw air from the outside are the least efficient. Heat pumps that get their heat from the earth are the next most efficient. The temperature of the source ranges from around 7°C to 12°C degrees Celsius throughout the winter months. As a consequence of this, a heat pump that draws its heat from water is often the solution that uses the least amount of energy. It is possible that the temperature at the water’s source is not the same as the temperature at the water’s surface if you live in an area where lakes and rivers freeze over during the winter. This might differ depending on the climate where you live and the location of your home.

When people wish to utilise a heat pump, they use flowing water. When the heat pump absorbs heat, it transfers it to warmer water that the heat pump has not cooled. Thus, the heat pump that gets its heat from the water will be able to work better. It prevents the water from freezing. A water source heat pump has a coefficient of performance (CoP) of around 6.0 (w to w 10/35C). This implies that it may be used to generate heat for water heating.

Conclusion

Water source heat pump functions in the same manner as a ground source heat pump, except that it obtains its heat from water rather than the ground. In contrast, the water body must be large enough to resist the chilling impact of the unit without causing the fish or other species in the area to freeze or be harmed.