Hydronic Heat Pumps
Air Source Hydronic Heat Pumps
Hydronic air source heat pumps are a highly efficient solution for heating and cooling, delivering 3 to 4 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed, which translates to lower energy bills and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
By utilising renewable energy from the air, these systems significantly lower your carbon footprint, aligning perfectly with Australia’s commitment to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Their versatility ensures comfort throughout the year, adapting to Australia’s diverse climates with both heating and cooling capabilities. While the initial investment may be higher, the long-term energy savings make them a cost-effective choice.
How do Heat Pumps Work
Hydronic air source heat pumps are clever devices that help heat or cool your home by transferring heat from the outside air. Here’s how they work in simple terms:
- Heat Absorption: The process starts outside your house, where the heat pump has a unit that looks a bit like an air conditioner. Inside this unit, there’s a special fluid called refrigerant that can easily change from a liquid to a gas. When the outside air, even if it’s chilly, flows over the evaporator coils, the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air and turns into a gas.
- Compression: Next, the gas moves into a compressor. Think of this as a pump that squeezes the gas to make it hotter and under higher pressure. This step is key because it prepares the gas to release the heat inside your home.
- Heat Exchange: The hot, high-pressure gas then travels to another set of coils, called a heat exchanger. Here, the gas exchanges it’s heat to the water that is circulating through the hydronic system, warming up your home. As it releases heat, the refrigerant cools down and changes back into a liquid.
- Expansion: Finally, the liquid refrigerant goes through an expansion valve, which reduces its pressure. This cooling process gets the refrigerant ready to absorb heat again, and it flows back outside to start the cycle over.
In addition to heating, air source heat pumps can reverse this process to cool your home in summer, acting like an air conditioner.
Viessmann Vitocal 150-A Hydronic Heat Pump
Vitocal 150-A indoor unit (left) and outdoor unit (right)
The Viessmann Vitocal 150-A is an air source heat pump in monoblock design, and uses the “green” refrigerant R290 (propane), which is considered particularly environmentally responsible with its very low GWP100 (global warming potential) of 0.02.
Reliable, compact and more environmentally responsible than ever – the new, innovative heat pump technology from Viessmann makes particularly efficient use of environmental energy for heating and cooling. With a flow temperature of up to 70 °C, the Vitocal 150-A was specially developed for modernisation projects. Existing radiators can continue to be used. Underfloor heating is not essential. High energy efficiency, convenient control via app, sustainable operation and attractive design are all convincing features.
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Viessmann Vitocal 150-A Product Details
| Application | For room heating/cooling and DHW heating |
| Operation | Heat pump control unit with 7 inch colour touchscreen, operation via ViCare app possible |
| DHW heating | Additional DHW cylinder required, resulting in a high level of DHW convenience. |
| Features | For room heating/cooling and DHW heating
Maximum flow temperature 70 °C (at an outside temperature of down to –10 °C) Monoblock indoor unit with heat pump control unit, high efficiency circulation pump for the secondary circuit, 4/3-way valve, safety assembly Integral instantaneous heating water heater Integral heating water buffer cylinder and overflow valve |
| Voltage | 230 V (single phase) & 400 V (three phase) |
| Rated heating output * | 2.6 to 14.9 kW * according to EN 14511 (A7/W35, spread 5 K) |
| COP * | up to 5.0 (at A7/W35) * coefficient of performance to EN 1451 |
| Sound power level | 56 dB(A) |
| Refrigerant |
R290 (2kg), Global warming potential (GWP100 acc. to IPPC AR6) is 0.02 |
| Dimensions (Length x width x height) | Indoor unit: 360mm x 450mm x 920mm
Outdoor unit: 600mm x 1144mm x 1382mm |
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Weight (indoor unit) |
47kg |
| Weight (outdoor unit) | 191kg |
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PDF Download: Vitocal 150-A Brochure
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Stiebel Eltron WPL-A 07 Hydronic Heat Pump
The WPL-A Premium air source heat pump is not only suitable for heating and hot water but also provides cooling in the summer months. Since the inverter unit achieves high flow temperatures even at very low outside temperatures of down to –25 °C, it is equally suitable for use in new build and renovation projects.
The WPL-A HK Premium contains a futureproof refrigerant. In combination with its high efficiency, the heat pump scores highly as an environmentally responsible heating technology.
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Stiebel Eltron WPL-A 07 Product Details
| Application | For room heating/cooling and DHW heating |
| Operation | Heat pump control unit via WPM, remote operation via ISG Web possible |
| DHW heating | Additional DHW cylinder required, resulting in a high level of DHW convenience. |
| Features | Air source heat pump for heating, hot water and cooling
Inverter technology provides adjusted heating output High flow temperatures of up to 75 °C enable high DHW temperatures and mixed water volumes Low operating costs through high efficiency all year round Smart Grid ready for connection to solar PV and energy management systems |
| Voltage | 230 V (single phase) |
| Rated heating output * | 10.75 kW |
| COP * | up to 5.42 * coefficient of performance to EN 1451 |
| Sound power level | 48 dB(A) |
| Refrigerant |
R454 C |
| Dimensions (Length x width x height) | Outdoor unit: 593mm x 1270mm x 900mm |
| Weight (outdoor unit) | 135kg |
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PDF Download: WPL-A 07 Premium Datasheet
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Stiebel Eltron WPL 25 AC(S) Hydronic Heat Pump
Enjoy comfortable warmth in your home during the chilly winter months thanks to the WPL 25 AC(S) range of air source hydronic heat pumps from STIEBEL ELTRON. Heating your home with energy harvested from the air, hydronic heating is a cost-effective way to keep your home warm and cosy.
Stiebel Eltron’s efficient inverter technology allows the WPL 25 AC(S) to offer an exceptionally high COP of 5, while the operating sound is kept to a minimum thanks to an encapsulated refrigerant circuit and acoustically isolated compressor. Through enhanced saturated vapour injection, high flow temperatures of up to 65°C can be achieved, making the WPL 25 AC(S) the perfect heat source for in-slab and radiator heating purposes.
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Stiebel Eltron WPL 25 AC(S) Product Details
| Application | For room heating/cooling |
| Operation | Heat pump control unit via WPM, with remote operation via ISG Web possible |
| Features | Outdoor installation to harvest energy from the air and turn it into comfortable warmth in your home
High efficiency due to vapour injection technology: COP of 5 Market leading sound technology: quiet operation at 32dB(A) from 5m distance 65°C flow temperatures suitable for radiator heating Natural defrost function for energy efficient operation even in cold climates down to -20°C Smart Grid and Solar PV ready |
| Voltage | 230 V (single phase) & 400V (3 phase) |
| Rated heating output | 14 kW |
| COP * | up to 5.09 * coefficient of performance to EN 1451 |
| Sound power level | 54 dB(A) |
| Refrigerant |
R410A |
| Dimensions (Length x width x height) | Outdoor unit: 593mm x 1490mm x 1045mm |
| Weight (outdoor unit) | 175kg |
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PDF Download: WPL 25 Premium Datasheet
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