IEA HPP Annex 32 - Austrian project

In Austria with current building codes (2006) and subsidy schemes space heating demands of 50-60 kWh/(m²a) for newly built single (and two) dwelling buildings and 40-50 kWh/(m²a) for multi dwelling buildings are achieved. Furthermore, also more than 1600 passive houses (heating energy demand < 15 kWh/(m².a)) are already built and a further strong growth is expected for the next years. Heat pump markets are increasing in Austria, as well (Fig. 1).

Fig.1 Heat pump market in Austria: 1975-2006, systems installed per year (source: Fanninger, 2007)

The national project of Austria is dedicated to the development of an integrated heat pump for the low-capacity range of 3-5 kW adapted to the heating needs of low energy houses. The development comprises an evaluation of the refrigerant cycle with different refrigerants, among other CO2, which will deliver the best refrigerant choice for the low capacity application. Another boundary condition for the choice of the system is the availability of components on the market.

Moreover, different system configurations will be analysed by system simulations with TRNSYS, yielding an optimal system configuration for a multifunctional unit incorporating the space heating, domestic hot water and the space cooling operation.

Afterwards, a prototype of the most favourable layout will be constructed and tested in the laboratory. A field test in real application is not intended in the frame of IEA HPP Annex 32.

In the beginning of 2008, arsenal research joined the national team for the field monitoring of combined operating heat pump systems for space heating and DHW operation as well as a ventilation compact unit with exhaust air heat pump including also the ventilation function.

Activities are supported by the Austrian heat pump associations LGWA and BWP concerning the market survey and the heat pump statistics.

Austrian national project