Proposer Additional Info
My role as a Marketing Manager at Mestek is
Proposed Session Description
We will demonstrate how air-to-water heat pumps can provide a solution for existing high-temperature hydronic systems as well as provide a future-proof solution, not subject to future regulations and technologies.
Why is this session important?
The number one question we were asked throughout the BuildingEnergy Boston show was, "Can I use an air-to-water heat pump to replace my boiler?" to which we answer "Yes - but it's complicated". This session would give the necessary space and time needed to explain and demonstrate the nuances involved in this surprisingly simple solution. The reason this question is specifically so crucial right now is because of the prevalence of steam heating systems and boiler systems that make up the existing building and housing stock, specifically in NYC as well as much of New England. Air-to-water provides a promising solution that allows us to make use of what already exists, and retrofit the systems in a way that future-proofs them against continuously changing regulations and technologies. Water-based systems are as old as the Romans, and provide decades upon decades of lasting reliable comfort. With monobloc air-to-water heat pumps all refrigerant comes pre-charged and remains packaged in the self-contained unit that sits outside, reducing the high risk of devastating damage direct to the ozone that results from pin-hole refrigerant leaks in air-to-air systems. According to some sources, approximately 10% of air-to-air systems end up with leaks. In addition, due to evolving refrigerant regulations, air-to-air systems are therefor a temporary technology, because in the future refrigerant upgrades will force them to be completed replaced with and upgraded.
Learning Objectives
Summarize and discuss the benefits and advantages for choosing to retrofit an existing hydronic system with air-to-water heat pumps over air-to-air heat pumps.
Recall the factors to consider when assessing the viability of air-to-water in retrofit applications and explain ways to solve for high-temperature systems.
Describe the variety of existing and new hydronic emitter options and how they can be flexible and intermixed to address various application needs in a building.
Recognize and explore opportunities to replace and supplement existing fossil-fueled hydronic systems with air-to-water heat pumps.
Cuadra Comment: MAYBE The
Cuadra Comment: MAYBE The abstract discusses a significant challenge that we must overcome to help decarbonize NYC. How do we best incorporate heat pump technology into a building stock that uses hydronic heating (fed from fossil-burning boilers? The abstract proposes air-source heat pumps to be a viable solution. There are some questions that we should ask:- Is this only a product plug?- Do they have any NYC building case studies?- Any sizeable buildings with centralized systems?- Any sizeable buildings with decentralized systems?We should consider a second speaker if we decide for this talk to proceed.