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To do things in one go, sounds so easy. In many cases the results of doing things in one step is equated to doing things in two steps. However, in certain situations or under certain conditions it can be advantageous, and hence preferred, to do things one after the other. A twostep approach can allow for a considerably better result in the long run. What we are trying to say, is that focus on what is desired to achieve rather than how it is done. Let us give you an interesting example from the cooling and heating industry.
Modern heat pumps and multi-purpose units are extremely capable and versatile. They have a broad range of applications and can fulfill a multitude of needs. They sit at the core of modern heating and cooling systems, and with the help of scroll compressors and propane-based refrigerants they are gradually taking the place of fossil-burning boilers being phased out during the ongoing decarbonization shift in Europe and the rest of the world. They can produce everything from cooling to comfort heating and even domestic hot water of temperatures at around 80°C. One unit to rule them all, to paraphrase J.R.R. Tolkien.
Competent as they are, however, certain situations and applications might need a different solution that one single unit. Instead of doing everything in one big step, a more efficient way can be to do things in two smaller steps, and gain even more versatility at the same time. In some cases, the benefits of adding a temperature booster to the system can come in handy.
Adding a temperature booster
A temperature booster is a small, specialized and highly efficient water source heat pump, designed for a single purpose – taking in warm water and bringing the temperature up to the levels required for domestic use, around 80°C. If you add a booster in a cascade with an existing air source heat pump, both units can focus on what they are optimized for; the primary unit uses the air source to heat water up to what is needed for comfort applications, around 45°C, while the booster takes the 45°C water and brings it up to 80°C.
For example, in the Nordic countries air source heat pumps are expected to work in a wide span of outside ambient temperatures depending on the season, say from -20°C and upwards, while still producing high temperature water for domestic use. However, the efficiency of the compressor is decreased if the temperature difference is too high, and pushing the compressor to its limits is seldom a good idea. If you add a temperature booster, the primary unit can work more efficiently while the booster relieves it of some of the duty.
A temperature booster is also a solution to consider if you need water of different temperatures for different applications in the building, for example if you have radiating floors that need medium water temperature but also need domestic hot water. Instead of having the primary unit constantly switching modes to produce different temperatures, a temperature booster can handle the domestic hot water needs.
Further use scenarios
A different scenario, in which a temperature booster also can help, is if you are planning to remove a boiler and replace it with a heat pump. If you want to keep the old distribution system and radiators in the building, a temperature booster can help you better modulate the temperature of the hot water needed for the old system; the primary unit provides the base, while the temperature booster makes the final adjustments. This can save both time and money during renovations.
Another interesting use of a temperature booster is in conjunction with a data center, which normally produces a lot of heat. A booster can take the heat output, increase it, and add it to a district heating network. This repurposing of already “spent” energy eliminates waste.
To sum up, there are scenarios where two units working together is better than one unit doing it all. It all depends on the certain situation, the particular loads in the specific case and the applications used. We are happy to share our knowledge and expertise about temperature boosters, and how they can benefit your explicit solution. Contact us here.
