Field Performance of Inverter-Driven Heat Pumps in Cold Climates
- Consortium of Advanced Residential Buildings, Norwalk, CT (United States)
Traditionally, air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) have been used more often in warmer climates; however, some new ASHPs are gaining ground in colder areas. These systems operate at subzero (Fahrenheit) temperatures and many do not include backup electric resistance elements. There are still uncertainties, however, about capacity and efficiency in cold weather. Also, questions such as “how cold is too cold?” do not have clear answers. These uncertainties could lead to skepticism among homeowners; poor energy savings estimates; suboptimal system selection by heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning contractors; and inconsistent energy modeling. In an effort to better understand and characterize the heating performance of these units in cold climates, the U.S. Department of Energy Building America team, Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings (CARB), monitored seven inverter-driven, ductless ASHPs across the Northeast. Operating data were collected for three Mitsubishi FE18 units, three Mitsubishi FE12 units, and one Fujitsu 15RLS2 unit. The intent of this research was to assess heat output, electricity consumption, and coefficients of performance (COPs) at various temperatures and load conditions. This assessment was accomplished with long- and short-term tests that measured power consumption; supply, return, and outdoor air temperatures; and airflow through the indoor fan coil.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Building Technologies Office (EE-5B)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1215176
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/SR--5500-63913; DOE/GO--102015-4642
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Heating performance of an air source heat pump with a portable thermoelectric subcooler
Cold Climate and Retrofit Applications for Air-to-Air Heat Pumps
Related Subjects
ASHP
Building America
CARB
COPs
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings
Northeast
Residential
Residential Buildings
SWA
Steven Winter Associates
Inc.
air flow measurement
air-source heat pumps
cold climate
heat pump
heating
inverter-driven
performance