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FAQ
1How does a heat pump work?
A heat pump uses natural heat from the surroundings (ground, air or water) to operate.
The principle of a heat pump can be divided into the following four phases:
- Heat extraction from the environment - the refrigerant (liquid) removes heat from its surroundings (heat from the ground, air or water - depending on the heat pump system) by means of an exchanger and converts it into a gaseous state. The heat is then transported in this state to the heat pump itself.
- Compression - in a heat pump, the gaseous refrigerant is rapidly compressed and due to compression (the physical principle of compression - at higher pressure the temperature rises) it quickly increases its temperature.
- Heat transfer - the heated refrigerant then transfers its heat to the heating water via an exchanger, which then goes on to, for example, radiators, underfloor heating, a boiler or a swimming pool.
- The cooled refrigerant then travels from the heat exchanger to the heat exchanger where it regains heat from its surroundings.
2What is the lifetime of a heat pump?
All of our products are supported by a portfolio of services that enable us to maintain reliable and rewarding customer partnerships that last for the lifetime of the equipment.
The lifespan of a heat pump depends significantly on the quality of its key component - the compressor - and all other components, which are manufactured exclusively in Europe. A heat pump with the PZP brand will last at least 20 years without failure. We installed the first heat pumps as early as 1995, so the durability of heat pumps is also already proven by experience.
The PZP heat pumps have an extended warranty of 5 years for the entire heat pump included in the basic price and at no additional cost. This warranty covers all repair costs in the event of any malfunction of the heat pump, i.e. spare parts, service technician work and transport costs.
Service and maintenance of heat pumps
Regular servicing by an expert technician on the heat pump is only recommended.
The inspection should be carried out at least once every two years for the following reasons:
- proper maintenance and parameter settings will extend the life of the heat pump
- during the service inspection, the sufficient flow and temperature setting of the heating water is also checked to ensure that the efficiency of the heat pump is not reduced
- we provide regular leak checks of the cooling circuit of the heat pump
3Is regular servicing required for heat pumps?
For heat pumps, we recommend a regular service, whether it is a heat pump for a family house or an apartment building. Regular servicing should be carried out once a year.
For heat pumps, we recommend a regular service, whether it is a heat pump for a family house or an apartment building. Regular servicing should be carried out once a year.
4Are heat pumps noisy?
Nowadays, heat pumps are manufactured with maximum thermal and acoustic insulation, which guarantees trouble-free quiet operation and long product life. In the case of ECONOMIC heat pumps, for example, a lower air resistance and thus a very noticeable reduction in the noise level of the device has been achieved by extending the spacing of the individual blades. Heat pumps today are therefore more efficient, more economical and noticeably quieter. For prices of individual products, please refer to our heat pump price list.
Need help calculating the return on your heat pump investment? We will be happy to help you! Simply fill in the non-binding enquiry form and our team will contact you as soon as possible.
5Which heat pump is suitable for you
A decision to buy a heat pump made hastily in the context of a time-limited "bargain discount" can end up being significantly more expensive! When buying any technical equipment, it is a good idea to ask several suppliers and compare their technical solutions and prices. This may take more time, but it significantly reduces the risk of buying a product that is unsuitable or technically inferior for the purpose. See the selected heat pump in operation. When inspecting, focus on the quality of the design, the noise level of the heat pump and the owners' experience with the contractor's work and service.
PZP HEATING a.s. manufactures heat pumps of all three types. On the following lines we will compare their main advantages.
Advantages of an air-to-water heat pump:
- Interesting purchase price of the heat pump and fast return on investment
- easy and thus inexpensive installation of the air-to-water heat pump
- possible year-round operation of the air-to-water heat pump with efficient use for hot water and pool water heating
- air-to-water heat pumps do not disturb the ambient temperature balance
- stable heating performance
- favourable heating factor (COP)
- compact device for indoor installation
- particularly suitable for installation in colder areas
- constant performance of the water-to-water heat pump
- very high heating factor (COP)
- very high heating factor (COP)
- particularly suitable for installation in areas with extensive groundwater
6What is the importance of the storage tank in a heat pump
- separates the required constant flow through the heat pump and the flow through the heating system
- contains sufficient heat to defrost the evaporator of the air-to-water heat pump
- increases the volume of water in the heating system and thus prevents inappropriate cycling of the heat pump operation, which extends the life of the heat pump
- the vessel can be fitted with electric heaters, which then replace the supplementary heat source
7Is a heat pump worth installing in uninsulated houses?
Whether you have an older, uninsulated family home with old radiators or own an insulated office building with underfloor heating, a heat pump is definitely worthwhile. Air-to-water heat pumps are the most popular option for old houses, especially as installation is quick and there is no need for groundworks. The investment in an air-to-water heat pump is therefore also not too high. Thanks to PZP's wide range of brands, it is quite easy for us to select the right device tailored to you.
The PZP range currently includes almost 100 heat pump models, in the air-to-water segment alone PZP offers 4 model series (DYNAMIC, ECONOMIC, AMBIENT and SPLIT).
Do you want to know which type and performance of pump is best suited for you? We will be happy to advise you. Fill in the non-binding enquiry form and our expert team will contact you as soon as possible.
8The difference between air-to-water and ground-to-water systems?
Heat pumps are classified as alternative energy sources because they allow heat to be extracted from the surrounding environment (air, ground or water), converted to a higher temperature level and then efficiently used for heating or hot water. A certain amount of energy must be supplied to pump the heat to a higher temperature level.
Air-water system
- favourable purchase price
- very easy installation
- saving space in the utility room with the AWX outdoor compact
- efficient operation down to -20°C
- stable heating performance throughout the year
- higher heating factor (COP) = lower electricity consumption
- passive cooling option
- low-energy circulators
9How to properly size the performance of a heat pump?
A heat pump, like any other heat source, is sized to cover the heat loss of the building. The heat losses are calculated according to set criteria for a certain outdoor temperature.
The following criteria must be respected when designing a heat pump:
- The energy saving ratio depends on the size of the heat pump (its total power input).
- To increase the lifetime of the heat pump, it is necessary to minimize the number of compressor starts.
- Efforts to reduce the complexity of the investment (assessment of acquisition and operating costs).
- the total heat demand for heating (heat loss of the house)
- heat demand for hot water heating
- selected heating system (underfloor heating / radiators)
- choice of supplementary heat source
- location and altitude (temperature range)
- investor's requirements and operation of the building
10Is it profitable to heat water with a heat pump?
After heating, hot water heating is the largest financial item in the operating costs of a house. Heating hot water with a heat pump is comfortable, extremely economical and environmentally friendly.
It is possible to connect any vessel with sufficient heat exchanger surface area to the heat pump. The solution of year-round hot water heating is worth the initial investment, especially for installations with higher daily hot water consumption or for installations where a boiler with a "screw" or other heat exchanger already exists.
For heating systems with PZP heat pumps, we recommend a combined storage tank with an indirect hot water heater. The rapid heating of the hot water takes place in a spiral wound tubular exchanger. The special shape of the pipe ensures high heat transfer efficiency and at the same time eliminates sediment build-up in the storage tank in hard water areas.
General characteristics and advantages of use:
- very fast hot water heating in a separate tank
- the enamelled tank ensures all hygienic requirements for hot water quality
- built-in titanium anode increases the corrosion resistance of the container
- hot water circulation connection
- accumulation vessel for heating made of thick-walled steel sheet
- removable thermal insulation jacket made of flexible polyurethane foam, thickness 50 mm
- easy installation and connection to the heat pump
11What about the existing heating system and the suitability of using a heat pump?
For the installation of a heat pump, it is first of all important to have a hot water heating system. If you have any kind of radiators or underfloor heating, you are out of luck.
For the heat pump to work properly, it is absolutely essential that the heating system installed is able to heat the building even with a lower heating water temperature. At the same time, the pipework must be designed for twice the water flow rate of conventional heating systems. Thus, the large water volume in an older system with finned radiators is a benefit, not a drawback. Just check that the size of the radiators is sufficient.
We will assess your heating system free of charge:
- our heating designer will calculate the heat loss of the building
- then, according to the heat loss, design or check the heating system to ensure thermal comfort in each room
- it is more economical to adapt the heating system to the heat pump than to operate the heat pump at its limits
12Is it possible to buy an unsuitable heat pump?
Yes, the choice of heat pump depends on local conditions. A hasty purchase decision can ultimately become very expensive.
Before buying a pump, it is therefore advisable to contact the heat pump supplier directly and compare the different offers and information provided by each company. Owners of new buildings often make the mistake of leaving the choice of heat pump entirely up to the building company, which, however, does not give much thought to the ideal heating system for the house. Heat pumps for houses should therefore not be bought hastily and without sufficient information.
Do you want to know what type and performance of pump is best for you? We will be happy to answer this question for you. Fill in the non-binding enquiry form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
13Which type of heat pump is best for me?
Perhaps the most common question asked by those interested in a heat pump is which type of heat pump they should get. There are three basic types of heat pumps: air-to-water, ground-to-water and water-to-water.
The different pump types have the following advantages:
- Air-to-water heat pumps The best-selling type of heat pump, which corresponds to the climatic conditions in the Czech Republic, are air-water heat pumps. The big advantage of air-to-water heat pumps is the purchase price, fast return on investment due to easier installation. There is no need to have a plot of land and the installation of the heat pump can be done without earthworks. It can be used for both heating and water heating.
- Ground-to-water heat pumps These heat pumps impress with their stable heating performance, which is much less dependent on the air temperature, and are particularly suitable for colder areas.
- Water-to-water heat pumps Water-to-water heat pumps have a constant heating factor (COP) and a constant heat output. They are particularly suitable for areas with large amounts of groundwater.
14How long will it take to recoup the investment in a heat pump?
The investment in a heat pump pays for itself within a few years, usually between 3 and 10 years depending on the type of pump, the energy performance of the heated building and the ambient conditions.
Need help calculating the return on your heat pump investment? We are happy to help! Just fill in the non-binding enquiry form and an expert from our company will contact you as soon as possible.
