The use of air source heat pumps (ASHP) in the specific context of existing multi-family buildings (MFB) represents an important challenge, especially in terms of performance and technical constraints in real conditions of use. This study concerns the actual performance of two non-retrofitted MFB (4047 and 7563 m2), whose original fossil heat supply was replaced by a centralized monovalent (2 × 156 kW) and hybrid (6 × 34 kW) ASHP system for space heating and domestic hot water. Based on a detailed monitoring campaign covering two years of operation, it can be concluded that both systems are able to supply the required temperature and cover the entire heat demand. By closely following up these pilot projects, constraints linked to integration and operation were identified. Optimization measures allowed us to increase the COP of the monovalent system (from 1.3 up to 3.4, with an optimized SPF of 2.3) and to raise the HP share of the hybrid system (from 50% to 67%, with an optimized SPF of 2.3). Both systems offer major progress in terms of CO2 savings (92% and 68%) and increased renewable energy share (75% and 43%), considering the hourly CO2 content of the Swiss electricity mix.
The eco-district “Les Vergers”, located in Meyrin (Geneva, Switzerland), hosts around 1’350 dwellings and some activities. It is heated by a 5 MWth geothermal centralized heat pump. This study proposes a detailed analysis of the thermal demand of 23 selected buildings in this district as a representative panel of buildings meeting high swiss energy performance standards (Minergie A/P) and equipped with different heat recovery systems. Although the buildings have better thermal performance than the average buildings of Geneva, most show an important performance gap between the actual space heating demand and the design values. A strong correlation between performance gap and cut-off temperature of the heating system suggests that the regulation of the heat distribution system plays a determinant role in the overall performance. Regarding the domestic hot water preparation, the buildings of this district present an average demand 23% lower than the standard value and 31% lower than a benchmark.
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