Look at the Best Performing Heat Pump Systems in Real Time
Nov 9, 2023
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This podcast discusses the benefits of monitoring heat pump systems, the challenges of ranking heat pump systems, debunking marketing hype of high temperature heat pumps, the importance of data collection on heat pump systems, and the performance and oversizing issues of heat pump systems.
57:48
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Quick takeaways
Heat pump installers and consumers are using monitoring equipment to obtain COP readings, facilitating learning and validation of competence.
Open Energy Monitor is a community-driven project that enables knowledge-sharing and collaboration among engineers and consumers.
The data analysis from heat pump systems informs decision-making, facilitates learning among engineers, and helps optimize system performance and cost-effectiveness.
Deep dives
Monitoring heat pump performance and sharing data
Open Energy Monitor is a project that focuses on monitoring and analyzing the performance of heat pump systems. By collecting data from various heat pumps and sharing it on an open-source platform, they aim to understand the state-of-the-art in heat pump design and installation. The project emphasizes the importance of producing reliable and accurate data to help inform engineers and consumers about the performance and efficiency of different heat pump systems.
The value of self-funding and community involvement
Open Energy Monitor is a self-funded project that has organically grown with the involvement of passionate engineers, installers, and consumers. The platform allows users to compare heat pump performance and share insights and experiences. The community-driven nature of the project encourages knowledge-sharing and collaboration, benefiting both engineers and consumers in their pursuit of understanding and optimizing heat pump systems.
The benefits of monitoring and data analysis
The ongoing collection and analysis of data from heat pump systems provide valuable insights. The project aims to determine the state-of-the-art in heat pump performance, investigate the impact of system design and installation, and identify areas for improvement. The analysis of the data allows for informed decision-making, facilitates learning among engineers, and helps manufacturers and installers in evaluating and enhancing their systems.
Balancing efficiency and cost
The data collected on heat pump performance showcases the importance of low-temperature operation and hydronic design principles. By running heat pumps at lower flow temperatures, better performance and efficiency can be achieved. However, it's essential to strike a balance between efficiency and cost, as lower flow temperatures may require additional investments in larger radiators or system components. The monitoring data provides real-world evidence for optimizing heat pump systems for both performance and cost-effectiveness.
The potential impact and future growth
Open Energy Monitor aims to continue collecting data and expanding the number of heat pump systems monitored. As the project evolves and more data is gathered, it offers valuable insights for researchers, manufacturers, and policymakers. By benchmarking system performance and facilitating a deeper understanding of heat pump design, the project contributes to the growth and development of the heat pump industry.
In this episode Nathan speaks with Glyn Hudson and Trystan Lea who along with open source enthusiasts have created open energy monitor and heat pump monitor.
Heat pump installers and consumers are installing monitoring equipment such as heat meters onto their heat pump systems to obtain COP readings. COP stands for the coefficient of performance.
The monitoring has provided the oppotunity for engineers and home owners to learn from each other about what works what doesn't work.
Arguably, other monitoring schemes (which cost the tax payer money) have caused a headache to the energy transition movement because such studies were using incompetent installation companies to put these heating systems in. This has meant a low COP average which the fossil fuel industry loves to allude to.
These schemes have not shed much, if any, data on system design so no one has really learned anything from them.
Conversely, this platform has engendered a hive of learning with engineers not only being able to learn from each other but also being able to validate their competence to prospective customers.
