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Integration of Back-Up Heaters in Retrofit Heat Pump Systems: Which to Choose, Where to Place, and How to Control?

Author

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  • Fabian Wüllhorst

    (E.ON Energy Research Center, Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Christian Vering

    (E.ON Energy Research Center, Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Laura Maier

    (E.ON Energy Research Center, Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Dirk Müller

    (E.ON Energy Research Center, Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

Abstract

Back-up heaters are essential for sustainable retrofit heat pump systems to achieve low capital costs and high system temperatures. Despite its importance, current literature focuses primarily on single aspects of the interaction between the back-up heater and the heat pump system. Furthermore, influences of varying scenarios are typically not considered. This paper simultaneously investigates the impact of 18 different scenarios on the optimal answer to the questions: Which back-up heater to choose, where to place it, and how to control it? A scenario consists of boundary conditions for weather, building envelope, radiator sizing, operational envelope, and the electricity-to-gas price/emission ratio, respectively. Using annual dynamic Modelica simulations, we evaluate and assess all interdependencies based on a full factorial design. We analyze final energy consumption, thermal comfort, and back-up heater as objectives. For gas-fired back-up heaters, the optimal placement and control align with current state-of-the-art recommendations. However, for electric back-up heaters, current guideline recommendations yield up to 30% higher operational costs and emissions compared to our findings. Consequently, future studies should develop optimal design rules for sustainable retrofit heat pump systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabian Wüllhorst & Christian Vering & Laura Maier & Dirk Müller, 2022. "Integration of Back-Up Heaters in Retrofit Heat Pump Systems: Which to Choose, Where to Place, and How to Control?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-22, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:19:p:7134-:d:927988
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Erica Roccatello & Alessandro Prada & Paolo Baggio & Marco Baratieri, 2022. "Analysis of the Influence of Control Strategy and Heating Loads on the Performance of Hybrid Heat Pump Systems for Residential Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Lämmle, Manuel & Bongs, Constanze & Wapler, Jeannette & Günther, Danny & Hess, Stefan & Kropp, Michael & Herkel, Sebastian, 2022. "Performance of air and ground source heat pumps retrofitted to radiator heating systems and measures to reduce space heating temperatures in existing buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    3. Vering, Christian & Maier, Laura & Breuer, Katharina & Krützfeldt, Hannah & Streblow, Rita & Müller, Dirk, 2022. "Evaluating heat pump system design methods towards a sustainable heat supply in residential buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    4. Clauß, John & Georges, Laurent, 2019. "Model complexity of heat pump systems to investigate the building energy flexibility and guidelines for model implementation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    5. Keinath, Christopher M. & Garimella, Srinivas, 2017. "An energy and cost comparison of residential water heating technologies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 626-633.
    6. Salpakari, Jyri & Lund, Peter, 2016. "Optimal and rule-based control strategies for energy flexibility in buildings with PV," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 425-436.
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