60-year-old apartment building with 32 flats is being made energy efficient
Modernisation with a system C
Heat pumps instead of oil: climate-friendly heating for a 1960s high-rise
Energy-efficient Dimplex system solution works reliably even with radiators
Three highly efficient and sound-optimised LA 60S-TU heat pumps are replacing the old oil heating system in a 60-year-old high-rise complex in a densely built-up residential area in Hilden, near Düsseldorf. They will provide climate-friendly heating for the 32 residential units with a total living space of 2300 m².
Renewable heating works efficiently there with radiators and without facade insulation.
With the individually planned system solution, Dimplex proves that renewable heating with air-to-water heat pumps works reliably even in a high-rise residential building with conventional radiators instead of underfloor heating and without facade insulation.
Action
- Connecting the building to the district heating network, support with planning and coordination of all trades by Dimplex
- Support with planning and coordination of all trades by Dimplex
New heating technology
- Three LA 60S-TU air-to-water heat pumps, existing decentralised and electric hot water supply
Special features
- Control and connectivity through intelligent WPM Touch Master
- Steuerung und Konnektivität durch intelligenten WPM Touch Master
Initial situation
- Multi-family house from the 1960s, covered with slate panels, with 32 residential units (23,000 m²)
- Modernisation of heating system
- Heating of the building with an environmentally harmful oil heating system
- Annual oil consumption: 20,000 litres
- Hot water supply was already decentralised and electric
- In the past: gradual reduction of the flow temperature of the existing heat supply over several phases during cold spells - this was possible without any loss of comfort for the residents
- The modernisation was carried out in compliance with all legal requirements. It was eligible for a maximum of 45 per cent funding from the BAFA
requirement
- New heating system should be sustainable and future-proof
- Very quiet noise level when using heat pumps due to the density of the development
- Reduction of energy costs to achieve economic advantages
- System must provide a reliable and secure heat supply for all 32 residential units
The solution
Installation and operation
- Monovalent operation, designed for the sole use of heat pump technology,
- With heat transfer taking place via the existing radiators.
- The particular challenge was the planning and coordination of all the work involved, especially the
- connection of the building to the district heating pipes.
- The intelligent Dimplex Master control, which is suitable for up to 14 heat pumps in a cascade, enables demand-based control.
- Even after commissioning, the system continues to be supported – as part of a service and warranty package of up to twelve years, by the regional Dimplex service on site and at any time remotely.
- The heat pumps are integrated online via an NWPM touch card, so that the system can also be controlled via the Dimplex app and can be monitored or accessed remotely via the internet.
Control and connectivity
- Functions: The master allows flexible and continuous monitoring and adjustment of the system through remote access and remote monitoring.
- Control: The master enables efficient use of the pumps in line with current heat demand by means of a six-stage switching system.
- Performance adjustment: The heat pumps' output is continuously adjusted to the building's heat demand and the behaviour of the residents.
‘The system has been in operation since last autumn. It runs reliably and everything works,’ emphasises heating engineer Per Christensen, who implemented the heating renovation. He had no concerns in advance, because the right planning is essential. ‘The tenants were informed and approved of the lower maximum flow temperature of 55 °C compared to the previous 75 °C.’ The radiators, which were oversized during construction, could all remain in the apartments. There were no doubts about the feasibility in advance. He realised the project together with his partner Dimplex, the market and technology leader for high-performance heat pumps. Thanks to decades of experience in the field of heat pumps, especially with an output of 20 kW or more, Dimplex planned an individual system solution on site that ensures a reliable heat supply even under the most demanding conditions.
Quiet operation wins over residents
The residents' initial concerns about possible noise could also be quickly dispelled. This is because the speed-controlled ventilators and the sound-optimised compressor chamber of the LA 60S-TU ensure quiet operation. The right installation location also plays a role here, which was carefully selected in consultation with the local plumbing and heating company. The three large air source heat pumps are located at some distance on the side of the building, so that the residents of the 32 apartments will not be disturbed by noise.