INTEGRATED HEAT PUMPS FOR COMBINED SPACE CONDITIONING AND WATER HEATING
The efficiencies of U.S. heat pumps as well as markets for high efficiency heat pumps continue to grow in the U.S. Heat pumps, however, are of much more value when there is a coincident need for the heating and cooling produced by the heat pump. Some opportunities for simultaneous heating and cooling are: • Combined heat pump space heating, cooling, water heating, and dehumidification • Cool air from heat-pump water heating used for space cooling • Exhaust heat from refrigeration and freezing used for space heating and hot water. With the support of DOE, U.S. manufacturers and state organizations, research is underway on combined or integrated heat pump systems that provide space conditioning and produce domestic hot water efficiently. Integrated systems are targeted to be part of the solution in the development of Zero Energy Housing. This paper discusses current activities, results and findings of sponsored U.S. research to develop an advanced integrated heat pump that provides space heating, cooling, dedicated dehumidification and water heater, and a water-heating dehumidifier for retrofit applications.