Analysis of the Operation of an Aerothermal Heat Pump in a Residential Building Using Building Information Modelling

Abstract

Heating, cooling and domestic hot water (DHW) are responsible for the largest share of energy use in residential buildings in Spain and play an important role in the implementation of nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEB). Building Information Modelling (BIM) is expected to promote more efficient buildings through evaluation of different design options. BIM can be used as a platform from which to gather information that can be conveyed to energy efficiency simulation tools. The objective of this paper was to implement the model of a reversible air-to-water heat pump in EnergyPlus 8.9. This model was employed to analyze the performance of an aerothermal heat pump system (B) in a residential building under different Spanish climates compared to a conventional Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system (A). Significant primary energy savings were achieved with system B compared to system A. These energy savings were higher in climates with a significant heating demand such as Madrid (27.4%) and Burgos (33.6%), and in cities with a mild climate such as Barcelona (37%). The residential building studied in this work was classified as Class A according to the CO 2 emissions scale when using the aerothermal heat pump system, and as Class B when using the conventional HVAC system.The EU's recommendation on guidelines for the promotion of NZEB [5]provides benchmark ranges of primary energy use (kWh/m 2 per year) for the different EU climatic zones [6]. Characterization of climate zones can be used to guide the design of NZEB by suggesting the suitability of certain technologies to certain climatic zones [7].In Spain, 93% of the installed aerothermal heat pumps that meet the requirements established by Directive 2009/28/EC are located in climatic zones characterized by mild outdoor dry-bulb temperatures. They are almost exclusively of the air-to-air type, with a very low number of units driven by other renewable energy sources (geothermal or hydrothermal). By sectors, most heat pumps are installed in households (86%), which is also the predominant sector in terms of installed capacity (57%) [8].Current technology allows the use of aerothermal heat pumps in more severe climatic conditions. Houlihan et al. [9] studied the case of a detached single-family house located in Oslo. The implemented residential NZEB concept was the so-called all-electric solution where essentially a well-insulated envelope was heated using an air-to-water heat pump and where photovoltaic panels (PV) production was used to achieve the CO 2 balance.Authors concluded that the house could be labeled as a zero-energy building.However, geothermal heat pumps are more suitable for the climatic conditions of Northern Europe than aerothermal heat pumps. Paiho et al. [10] analyzed life-cycle costs (LCCs) of different heat pump-based NZEB concepts for a Finnish new detached house and a new apartment building. They found that for both building types, the LCCs were the smallest with the ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) followed by the air-to-water heat...

Modelling of a Variable Refrigerant Flow System in EnergyPlus for Building Energy Simulation in an Open Building Information Modelling Environment

“…Once the process of being adopted by the Spanish Public Administrations as a tool for energy efficiency certification of buildings has been overcome, it is necessary to continue working on the improvement of the interface and the HVAC system models that integrate EnergyPlus [26]. Last but not least is the need for training to architects and engineers in university graduate and postgraduate courses.…”

Comparison of Transcritical CO2 and Conventional Refrigerant Heat Pump Water Heaters for Domestic Applications

“…The warm air arriving at the top of the building, instead of being let to the ambient, will be collected and circulated through the evaporator of an air to water heat pump, which will produce hot air and water for the building. Due to the warm temperature at the evaporator, the efficiency of the heat pump will increase with respect to a conventional setting in which the evaporator operates with ambient air [10]. In a first setting, the condenser will heat water stored in a tank, but a second alternative with a latent heat thermal storage system (LHTSS) is considered [11].…”

“…In a first setting, the condenser will heat water stored in a tank, but a second alternative with a latent heat thermal storage system (LHTSS) is considered [11]. The operating temperatures at this side will fall in the 55-60 • C range [12], usual for domestic HPWH [10]. The system has been designed for a R410A-based HPWH, although it would be interesting to study a transcritical CO 2 -based HPWH (TC-HPWH) alternative.…”

Carbon Emissions Peak Prediction and the Reduction Pathway in Buildings during Operation in Jilin Province Based on LEAP

“…Therefore, research on carbon emissions reduction has focused on exercising control over emissions from residential buildings during the operation period [8]. At the spatial-temporal scale, carbon emissions from residential buildings during the operation period stem from activities such as heating, cooking, and cooling [9,10]. Carbon emissions from different types of activities have noticeable differences given the geographic heterogeneity of climate and development.…”

“…Similar results were found by different studies. Cooking, heating, cooling, and illumination were all considered major contributors to carbon emissions [6,10,33,34]. Asaee et al [7] revealed that the obstacles to zero carbon emissions were low energy efficiency and high consumption of fossil fuels.…”