The heat pump at a glance
Heat pumps are a mature technology. They are cost-effective when the cost ratio of the electricity used is favorable compared to other energy sources. No other heat generator receives such a high energy rating as a stand-alone device as the heat pump. Heat pumps use at least 75% of the environmental energy available from the ground, air, or water free of charge. Only 25% is supplied in the form of electricity to operate the heat pump. Nowadays, this can easily be done with “green electricity” from renewable energy sources. This means that consumers not only save energy in an environmentally conscious manner, but also save money. Users of heat pumps are also less dependent on fossil fuels, which are finite energy sources, and the associated price volatility. ratiotherm manufactures heat pumps for use as air-to-water, brine-to-water, or water-to-water heat pumps. A heat pump from the manufacturer – a quality product: “Made in Germany.”
The advantages of our heat pumps at a glance:
See for yourself:
Our proven product groups in the field of heat pumps
Technical progress by ratiotherm
To increase the efficiency of heat pumps
The following important aspects also speak in favor of this type of heat generation:
Low emission values
Of course, environmental friendliness in heat pump technology is a top priority. But why is a heat pump environmentally friendly in the first place? Heat pumps use the solar energy stored in the air, water, or ground and, with the help of a heat pump, bring it to a temperature level suitable for heating purposes. However, only a quarter of this additional energy is needed to generate 100% heating output—maximum efficiency. In addition, the pumps themselves do not produce any emissions during operation, as they do not rely on a combustion process like gas or oil heating systems. The more renewable electricity is used, the greater the CO₂ savings.
Low heating costs
Since the heat pump only requires a small amount of electricity to heat the energy extracted from the air, water, or ground to a temperature that can be used for heating, it has a significantly lower loss rate than oil or gas heating systems. While some of the energy is lost in the combustion process, a heat pump can generate the required heating energy with a factor of up to 4 or even more! For example, one part of electricity is converted into four parts of heat. Even with rising electricity costs, a heat pump still works highly efficiently and saves money in the long term.
No chimney and no chimney sweep
Operators of heat pumps can save on chimney sweep costs. Regular sweeping and annual exhaust gas checks are no longer necessary, as heat pumps do not operate on the combustion principle. Pumps work by means of compression and do not produce any emissions, which also makes a chimney unnecessary. Existing buildings are usually equipped with a chimney, but this is no longer required for the operation of a heat pump. In new buildings, this also saves the construction costs for the chimney.
Increase in the value of the property
When it comes to renting or selling their homes, residential property owners are increasingly confronted with the energy performance certificate. Energy-efficient renovation and, last but not least, an efficient heating system are becoming increasingly important. A heat pump is the ideal solution for this. Renovation based on energy efficiency principles with full thermal insulation can easily cost twice as much as installing a heat pump. A holistic view of the building envelope and efficient building services is crucial in order to assess the optimal mix for renovation. The reduction in primary energy consumption is also recorded in the energy performance certificate. In times of high energy prices, this can be a valuable argument for renting or selling properties with heat pumps, thereby also increasing their value.
FAQs about heating with heat pumps:
What is a heat pump?
Heat pumps convert the energy stored in the ground, water, and air into usable heat. This stored energy is renewable and, thanks to the sun, is always available. Combining a pump with a buffer or domestic hot water tank gives you a completely renewable heating system that includes convenient and efficient hot water preparation. We offer a range of innovative and efficient products for a wide variety of room and space requirements in new and existing buildings. All our products are engineered and Made in Germany – for greater sustainability and regional added value.
Function of the expansion valve: At the end of the cycle, the expansion valve equalizes the pressures in the system and the refrigerant is once again able to absorb energy at the evaporator.
How efficient is a heat pump?
Depending on the energy source, heat pumps can provide up to five parts of environmental energy as heating energy for each part of electrical energy. The available environmental energy (in the form of temperature) from -20 °C to +35 °C, using air as an example, must be brought to a temperature level that can be used for heating or hot water. Heat pumps are currently among the most efficient energy generators available on a large scale and with high reliability. Thanks to the steady increase in green electricity in the electricity mix, the climate targets required in the building sector are becoming increasingly achievable.
What operating modes are available for heat pump heating systems?
Bivalent alternativ
A heat pump from the manufacturer supplies all the heat required up to a specified outdoor temperature (e.g. +2 °C). If the temperature falls below this value, the pump switches off and the second heat generator (usually fossil fuel-based) takes over the heating. Existing, older heating systems are often used for this purpose, which significantly extends their service life.
Bivalent parallel
Up to a certain outdoor temperature, the heat pump alone generates the necessary heat. At lower temperatures, the second heat generator switches on in parallel. If the outdoor temperature falls below the second limit temperature, the pump switches off and the second heat generator takes over the entire heat supply. In contrast to bivalent-alternative operation, the heat pump’s share of the annual heating output is significantly higher in such systems.
What energy sources does a heat pump use?
Heat pump comparison – finding the right pump
Heat pumps are available in various operating modes and with different energy sources. In our comparison, we show the respective form of energy generation, installation locations, and necessary requirements and measures.
| Heat source | Soil: Ground probe | Soil: Soil collector | Groundwater | Outside air |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation type | inside | inside | inside | inside or outside |
| Scope of application | Buildings with limited outdoor space | Buildings with large outdoor space | Buildings with limited space (no water protection zone) | Buildings with no or small gardens |
| Permission required? | yes | Water law notification required | Approval by the Water Management Authority | no |
| Maintenance requirements | virtually maintenance-free | virtually maintenance-free | low | low |
| Annual performance factor (JAZ) | ca. 4,5 | ca. 4,5 | more than 5 | up to 4 |
| Installation costs and acquisition costs | increased, vertical geothermal probes required | high, horizontally laid pipes on the premises | increased, two boreholes for suction and drainage wells on the site | low, no drilling or earthworks required |
The right solution for your home – whether renovation or new build?
A heat pump from the manufacturer is highly efficient and the heat supplied to your home is CO₂-neutral thanks to this technology. This technology is currently the most widely used in new buildings, but its use in renovations is also on the rise. But which heat pump systems are suitable for which types of buildings? Basically, there is hardly any building where a pump cannot be used. From new builds to energy-efficiently renovated or partially renovated single-family homes and semi-detached houses.
What is the difference between an internally mounted pump and an externally mounted pump?
Heat pumps differ mainly in terms of their installation location. Ground source or ground-coupled systems are always installed indoors. The major advantage of this is that there is no noise emission to the outside. With air/water heat pumps, there are devices where only the evaporator is located outside, while all other components are inside the building. These systems are generally much quieter than systems installed entirely outside, where the entire refrigeration circuit, including the compressor, is located outdoors. Outdoor units are usually the cheaper solution and are particularly popular in new construction projects, as little living space has to be wasted for the technical room. In densely built-up residential areas with little space, indoor installation has a clear advantage due to its minimal noise emissions to the outside.
Heat pumps for new buildings
Whether it’s a plus-energy house, passive house, or low-energy house, a heat pump is the number one heating device in these types of buildings. Due to the very low energy requirements of these modern buildings, other heating systems often make little sense, as the connection costs (e.g., to the gas network) are simply too expensive in many cases. A combination of ventilation systems and heat pumps is increasingly being used to recover heat from the air.
