Peak and reserve function heat pumps

In a heating system with a heat pump as the primary heat source, a peak and back-up function in the form of either district heating or an electric boiler is needed in the event of a heat pump failure.

The function should be dimensioned to cope with approximately 50 % of the total load. When dimensioning, you also look at the type of activity in the property and how sensitive the activity is to a lower temperature if there is a breakdown.

Remember to carry out a number of functional checks on the peak and reserve functions. For example, you should regularly check that the heating valve for the district heating closes properly, that the boiler closes at the set temperature and that the boiler's overheating protection works.

If you have a heating system with both district heating and a heat pump, it is important to consider whether the heat pump should produce both heat and hot water. In general, we believe that district heating should produce hot water all year round and act as a peak when the heat pump is unable to deliver when it is coldest outside.

By letting the district heating have this function, you ensure the temperature of the hot water, you can lower the heating curve of the heat pump and thus reduce the power peaks and you reduce the risk of high return temperature from the radiator circuit.

Some other advantages of such a configuration are that there is a lower tariff on district heating in summer. When you only run the heat pump during the heating season, you extend the life of the heat pump and the boreholes are recharged during the summer months. If you choose this configuration, the circulation pump in the heat pump should be set to run once a day!

Contact us when you need advice on the heat pumps in your business!