Low and high temperature heating
Heat pumps are gaining popularity as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for heating homes and buildings. Although low-temperature and high-temperature heat pumps share the same operating principle, significant differences can be seen in some respects. When deciding to install such a system, it is useful to understand the differences between a low-temperature and a high-temperature heat pump in order to choose the model best suited to the needs of your building. Below, we explain how these two types of heat pump differ.
How it works low-temperature heating?
Low-temperature heating technology involves the use of heating water with a nominal temperature not exceeding 55°C. In practice, this means that the heat source does not need to generate very high temperatures to heat the room effectively, resulting in lower energy consumption. The lower feed water temperature of the system requires the use of heating systems with large area. Therefore, the most efficient use of low-temperature heat pumps will be in new construction - single-family homes or office buildings, where the use of underfloor heating is assumed right from the planning stage.
How does high-temperature heating work?
With high-temperature heating, the water temperature exceeds 50°C. This form of heating is typical of older heating technologies, where heat sources such as coal or oil boilers need to generate high temperatures in order to efficiently heat the space working in conjunction with traditional radiators. In such systems, temperatures can reach up to 90°C.
Low and high temperature heating - what are the differences
The main difference between low-temperature and high-temperature heating is the temperature of the feed water. In low-temperature systems, it does not exceed 50°C, and can often be significantly lower. In high-temperature systems, the water reaches over 50°C, often reaching as high as 70-90°C. This difference affects the amount of energy required to supply the heating system.
When choosing the type of heat pump, consideration should be given to the type of heating. Older radiators are usually suited to high-temperature systems and distribute heat differently. They also take up less space compared to low-temperature systems, which require more space to distribute heat evenly in the room.
Which type of heating works best with a heat pump?
Both low-temperature and high-temperature heat pumps offer many advantages. When choosing a heat source, it is worth contacting a company that specialises in the selection and installation of heat pumps. It is difficult to say which solution is better - it all depends on the user's expectations and the specifics of the site. There is no denying that the optimal solution is to combine a heat pump with low-temperature technology, which does not need to generate high temperatures. However, this requires heating equipment with a larger surface area, ensuring more accurate heat distribution. This does not mean, however, that a heat pump cannot work with traditional radiators. There are also models on the market dedicated to high-temperature radiators. Although their heating efficiency may be lower than that of low-temperature technology, they are still more cost-effective compared to traditional heating methods. Combining a heat pump with photovoltaics is also worth considering. Whether using high-temperature or low-temperature heating, you should rationally control the operation of the equipment to generate exactly the amount of heat energy you need. A robust heat pump not only saves money, but also promotes environmental protection. It is gaining increasing interest in the market.
