Objectives

The project aimed to define and demonstrate the technical feasibility of new packaged systems for year-round residential space conditioning using heat pumps. These systems (which include all components used in a heating/ cooling system, from the heat pump to the inside unit) would target mainly new residential buildings and use water or air as the energy distribution medium. The work carried out within the framework of this project will cover low initial and operating costs, comfort provided, suitability to meet customer demands, design and installation requirements, performance, integration in buildings and aesthetics.

This project would result in the technical definition of new concepts, adapted to the customer needs of the participating countries. The participants would consult with manufacturers on a national level to develop a prototype system.

This project would benefit both heat pump technology and HVAC applications. One of the objectives was to promote new comfort systems, using a heat pump as an energy generator; the latest breakthroughs in HVAC equipment (i.e. distribution, inside unit, control systems etc.) would therefore be studied very closely.

Environmental issues would also not be forgotten in this project, with the use of CFC-free working fluids and quiet outdoor/indoor units. Achieving very low energy consumption was also one of the objectives.

Project manager and participating countries

The project manager (the so-called Operating Agent) was Electricité de France, Development Division (EDF/DER) on behalf of France. The participating countries were France, the Netherlands, Sweden and USA. Canada participated in the first part of the work.

Activities

The following describes some of the task-sharing activities carried out under this project:

  • Providing analyses and national information to the Operating Agent on the various systems studied
  • Compiling and analysing data on existing concepts (performance, type of distribution, inside unit, controls etc.) for each system, as well as data on technical definitions of the new concept and cost effectiveness
  • Carrying out a market study in each participating country. People will be surveyed to assess their feelings towards new heating and cooling systems, as well as installation and architectural expectations, in order to define an easy-to-install concept and a well integrated system into the building

The participating countries were implementing the following projects:

  • In France, the theme of the on-site field tests was residential floor heating and cooling in combination with fan coils on the upper floors.
  • In the Netherlands, the focus was on an integrated water-to-water heat pump for heating, free cooling, domestic hot water production and regeneration of the ground.
  • Sweden concentrated on a ground-coupled system with floor heating/cooling and domestic hot water production.
  • The USA focused on a comparison of various air and hydronic heat distribution systems and humidity control systems.

Publications