More and more states and cities across the U.S. are mandating alternative energy sources over fossil fuels such as natural gas. As a result, the HVAC industry is increasingly interested in alternative energy sources for heating and cooling equipment. One alternative technology that has worked well in residential HVAC applications but has only recently started to be used in commercial buildings is the air-source heat pump (ASHP).

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Improvements to ASHP technology have made it a viable and effective option, especially where natural gas use is restricted. Here are answers to three common questions about this technology.

1. What Is an Air-Source Heat Pump and How Does It Work?

A heat pump is an HVAC unit that moves energy to heat or cool depending on the need. The energy moved by heat pumps has typically come from geothermal energy in ground or water sources. Some heat pumps use waste energy created in a factory. Now, improvements in heat pump technology can generate heating and cooling energy from ambient air.The primary parts of ASHPs are:

• An outdoor coil and an indoor coil
• Compressor(s) to pump refrigerant
• Outdoor fan(s) to move ambient air across the outdoor coil
• Indoor fan(s) to move supply air across the indoor coil
• An expansion device to regulate the flow of refrigerant and maintain pressure and temperature
• A reversing valve to offer both heating and cooling

Liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the air and evaporates into a gas. As the gas moves through the compressor and its pressure increases, its temperature rises. The gas then condenses back into a liquid as its heat energy is released. Using the reversing valve, the system can either:

• Absorb heat at the indoor coil and release it to the ambient air at the outdoor coil, providing indoor cooling, OR
• Absorb heat at the outdoor coil and release it to the supply air at the indoor coil, providing indoor heating.

Our air-source heat pump application guide goes into more detail about how ASHPs work and how to design them to maximize their benefits.

2. Can Air-Source Heat Pumps Function in Cold Weather Climates?

The two heat pump technologies that offer the most potential for commercial buildings are geothermal and air-source. In deciding which to use, it is important to consider that geothermal heat pumps require access to thermal energy generated by the Earth. This can mean finding a large area of land or water to accommodate the closed-loop pipe system needed for operation. Commercial facilities in rural or suburban locations may have access to the additional land necessary to install geothermal systems. However, geothermal heat pumps seldom work for buildings in densely populated urban areas where land is scarce.

Air-source heat pump technology does not require a geothermal field closed-loop pipe system. It accomplishes heating and cooling by simply transferring energy between ambient air and supply air. The outdoor coils replace the need for the extensive piping required for geothermal heat pumps, making it unnecessary to have a large land footprint around the building.

Selecting the Best Heat Pump Option

DOAS HVAC

Choosing a Heat Pump for Commercial Facilities

In this video, learn how heat pumps function and how they differ from traditional.   September 17,

Heat pumps are increasingly being used in commercial buildings due to their versatility and energy efficiency. In this video from Slipstream, Ryan Hoger explains how heat pumps function, how they differ from traditional air conditioners, and the various types that can be applied in commercial settings.  

Heat pumps are fundamentally air conditioning systems that can reverse their function, providing both heating and cooling. 

The cooling cycle of a traditional air conditioning system involves two main components: the outdoor condenser coil and the indoor evaporator coil. The refrigerant inside these coils absorbs heat from inside the building and expels it outside. In a heat pump, these coils switch roles to provide heating. A reversing valve within the system flips the direction of refrigerant flow, allowing the outdoor coil to absorb heat from the environment and bring it indoors. This process is what enables a heat pump to function in both cooling and heating modes. 

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One of the most common types of commercial heat pumps is the rooftop unit, found in more than 50 of commercial buildings. These units combine heating, cooling, and fan systems into a single package, usually mounted on the roof. A rooftop heat pump unit can replace traditional gas or electric rooftop HVAC systems, offering better energy efficiency, particularly when transitioning from electric resistance heating to a heat pump system. The decision to switch from a gas-fired unit depends on the balance of energy costs and electrification goals. 

Another popular system is the split system, where the components are divided between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, connected by refrigerant pipes. These systems are scalable, ranging from residential-sized units to large commercial installations. Mini-split systems, which operate without ductwork, are also common in smaller commercial spaces or buildings with specialized needs like server rooms. These systems are increasingly used for both heating and cooling in commercial buildings undergoing electrification. 

Watch more videos from Slipstream: 

How to Adjust Belt Tension on Rooftop Units 

Sizing Replacement Boilers Using EDR Calculations  

Watch videos from the Facilities In Focus Series: 

Technology That Will Disrupt Facilities Management  

3 Trends Challenging Facility Managers Today 

Ryan Hoger is a contributor with Slipstream. 

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