HOW EFFICIENT IS THE IVT AIRX AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP?
IVT AirX Air Source Heat Pump
The IVT AirX air source heat pump is the latest generation of heat pump that sets new standards in terms of efficiency and sound levels.
Designed and manufactured by IVT (Bosch Thermoteknik AB) in Sweden, the IVT AirX air source heat pump provides marketing leading performance in every department.
In this article, we will take a look at the market-leading efficiencies offered by the IVT AirX air source heat pump, and how this impacts on the grant payments you might receive under the Renewable Heat Incentive.
Measuring the Efficiency of Air Source Heat Pumps
The Basics
When it comes to measuring efficiency of a heat pump, there are a few key terms:
Heat Output
This is very simply the amount of heat that is being output by the heat pump. This is the heat that is extracted from the outdoor air and compressed into high-grade useful heat for heating your home and providing domestic hot water.
Electrical Input
The heat is extracted from the air by a series of electrical components inside the heat pump working together as efficiently as possible. The components that require electricity are the compressor, the fan motor, the controller and the circulation pumps. The electrical input for the heat pump is the total combined electrical consumption of these components.
Coefficient of Performance (CoP)
A term that is often used when discussing heat pumps is coefficient of performance. This is the ratio of heat output to electrical input. For example, a heat pump with a CoP of 4 would generate 4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity consumed.
Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCoP)
The CoP of a heating is measured for a specific set point, so for example when the outdoor air temperature is 7C and the delivered water temperature is 35C. In reality, over a course of the year outdoor air temperature will vary wildly during heat pump operation, from as low as -5C in the winter to as high as 30C at the height of summer.
The seasonal coefficient of performance measures the average CoP over the course of the year, and is therefore the most accurate guide as to how the heat pump is going to perform for you in real terms.
what impacts the EFFICIENCY of a heat pump
Making a heat pump efficient means extracting the maximum possible amount of heat output, whilst consuming the minimum possible electrical input. The IVT AirX air source heat pumps contain all the latest innovations from the heat pump industry, which is why the AirX sets industry-leading standards in terms of performance.
Inverter-Driven Compressor
Inverter-driven compressors only output the amount of heat required by the property. This is in contrast to fixed-speed compressors which only have one output - maximum. Having an inverter-driven compressor means that the heat pump only works as hard as it needs, therefore requiring less electricity.
Smart Defrost
The IVT AirX features a patented smart defrost function which utilises heat from the compressor rather than heat from an electric element, as is usually the case. Since the compressor is obtaining it’s heat from the outside air, this is more efficient than direct electric heating.
Heat Exchanger
The heat pump extracts energy from the air through a heat exchanger. The larger the heat exchanger, the more heat that can actually be extracted from the air. The AirX air source heat pumps all feature large heat exchangers in order to optimise the amount of heat extracted from the air.
Circulation Pumps
Circulation pumps move the water to and from the outdoor unit where the heat is extracted, and these pumps require electricity. The IVT AirX air source heat pumps all contain low energy circulation pumps, to minimise the consumption by these components.
Bosch Controls
The Rego 2000 controller has been developed in house by Bosch’s expert heat pump engineers, The controls feature weather compensation, as well as a number of other energy saving features.
IVT AirX Efficiency
EFFICIENCY OF THE RANGE
To be eligible for the grant payments, heat pumps need to be listed on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (“MCS”) products database. On this database, the seasonal coefficient of performance figures for all MCS accredited air source heat pumps are listed.
The SCoP figures for all of the IVT AirX air source heat pumps at 35C flow temperature are listed below:
IVT AIRX 50
4.40
IVT AIRX 70
4.37
IVT AIRX 90
4.58
IVT AIRX 130
4.68
IVT AIRX 170
4.54
HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO THE REST
Like for like comparisons of heat pumps should be taken with a pinch of salt, because what matters is how they perform in the field. However, the SCoP figures shown above do directly impact the amount of grant funding you will receive from the Government, so it is an important comparison to make.
Below are some examples of SCoP figures for some other heat pumps, also at 35C flow:
Nibe 8kW - SCoP of 4.13
Stiebel 8kW - SCoP of 4.03
Vaillant 8kW - SCoP of 4.07
The Benefits of an Efficient Heat Pump
Having such an efficient heat pump obviously brings many benefits.
Carbon Reduction
The more efficient a heat pump, the less electricity they will consume. Even though electricity is becoming greener every year, as more solar and wind power sources are installed in the UK, there are still some carbon emissions produced, albeit far less than from a traditional fossil fuel boiler.
LOWER RUNNING COSTS
The more efficient the heat pump, the more free heat is being harnessed from the air. This means that running costs are kept even lower. Typically a heat pump will save approximately 40% in running costs compared to heating oil, however by choosing the most efficient heat pump, you optimise your savings!
Maximise Your RHI
Under the Government’s Renewabe Heat Incentive (“RHI”), you receive money for the renewable heat that you generate. The renewable heat generated by your air source heat pump is calculated as the difference between the heat output and the electrical input.
Remember, the higher the SCoP of the heat pump, the more heat that is generated for each unit of electricity consumed, In turn, a larger proportion of your total heat demand is classed as renewable, meaning you get bigger RHI payments!
Still heating your home with a fossil fuel boiler?
Choose the IVT AirX air source heat pump today.
Do your bit for the environment and choose a new IVT Bosch AirX air source heat pump for your home. In addition to the savings you will make heating your home, earn up to £1,500 back every year from the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme. Our new and exclusive IVT Finance offer makes the decision to switch to air source heating even easier!
LOWER HEATING BILLS
Air source heat pumps can deliver up to four units of heat for each unit of electricity consumed, enabling up to 50% running cost savings against fossil fuel boilers.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Receive up to £1,500 per annum under the Government Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, which pays you for the renewable heat you generate. T&Cs apply.
BENEFIT THE PLANET
Heat pumps operate using electricity, which is becoming an increasingly low carbon source, enabling up to 70% carbon savings against fossil fuel boilers.
FLEXIBLE REPAYMENT
Take advantage of our finance package offered through Ikano Bank AB. Choose loan durations of 5 years or 10 years, with a 7 year option available soon.