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Thermally driven heat pump systems, also called gas absorption heat pumps (GAHP), have been available to the North American market since 2006. GAHP units are available through HVAC distributors and installation professionals within the USA and Canada. In cold climates, electric heat pump options require a secondary heating system when temperatures drop. GAHP units perform well in all climates and do not need a backup system in most cases. Gas heat pumps are air-to-water heat pumps that use natural gas or propane as the primary fuel source; instead of simply burning natural gas or propane and using as much of that energy as possible, GAHPs leverage the combustion heat to capture additional energy from the outdoor air. In other words, the system captures heat from the ambient air, transfers it to water, and circulates it to the building for space heating and domestic water use. They use up to 50 percent less fuel than traditional gas heating systems and work at efficiencies well above 100 percent, even in below-zero temperatures.
Understanding System Components and Thermal Compression
The components of a gas-fired heat pump system include the gas heat pump, an air handling unit, and an indirect storage tank. The gas heat pump and all refrigerants, combustion processes, and venting are located outside. The natural refrigerant is environmentally friendly, will not harm the ozone layer, and will not break down into lifetime chemicals. Only warm water and food-grade glycol mixture enters the building through standard PEX or copper piping.
Benefits of Gas-Fired Heat Pumps
GAHPs provide more comfortable heat and are safe because all combustion, refrigerant, and venting are located outdoors. And, because a gas heat pump uses less fuel, it emits less CO2 and is more cost effective. The heating capacity of GAHPs is maintained well, even in very low ambient temperatures, and a small backup generator can keep the heating system running during a power outage. Proven and versatile hydronics technology uses existing and future capable fuel supplies, which gives the opportunity to select different fuels and use them to drive the cycle within the heat pump.
According to a major manufacturer of GAHPs, propane is the ideal companion fuel: “Other heating appliances require special accommodations, component changes, or conversion equipment for LP fuel but not a GAHP. The installation contractor dials in the combustion during the initial installation. The high-efficiency system uses up to 50% less propane to achieve the desired level of comfort in the household, resulting in 50% fewer emissions and a faster payback of the initial heating system investment.”
Gas-Fired Heat Pumps for Residential and Commercial Buildings
Residential
Residential uses include residential space heating in the winter and domestic hot water year-round. These systems can be used in multifamily residences, dormitories, assisted living facilities, and other large single-family residences.
Hydronic systems
Hydronics is a very versatile method of delivering heat to a building, and the heated water can be used for many different applications including radiant floor heating, panel radiators, or even pool heating, spa heating, and snow melting. That said, there is a limitation on water temperatures without sacrificing energy efficiency, which is 140 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s almost 20 degrees higher than the maximum limit for an electric air to water heat pump.
Commercial domestic water heating
A system with a heat pump and a 120-gallon storage tank can produce a couple of thousand gallons a day of continuous baseload domestic water for commercial applications such as restaurants, hotels, schools, recreation centers, laundromats, and car washes. Electrification for these applications would require a massive service upgrade that some commercial businesses don’t have capital or service access needed to undertake. A finishing tank can handle peak loads for commercial businesses such as hotels that have guests showering at generally the same time.
It can also be put ahead of an array of tankless water heaters, which typically need to work on an energy rise. Preheating the water coming in reduces the amount of rise needed. The finishing capability and peak load capability reduce wear on the equipment, overall run time, and overall fuel consumption.
Look No Further Than Gas-Fired Heat Pumps for Commercial Buildings
If you’re in commercial construction, industry, operations, or design and are looking for a space and water heating solution that is cost efficient, energy efficient, and can help meet decarbonization goals, a gas-fired heat pump system fueled by propane is your answer. These systems are particularly useful in cold-weather climates, even working in regions with regular temperatures at -40 degrees Fahrenheit, and provide reliable, consistent heat when it’s needed.
Learn more about propane in commercial construction.
