Send us a text

Measuring Heat pump system design with Brendon from Heacol
Link to slides for the test can be found here

THE TEST RIG
Brendon discusses how he first designed the test rig with Ulster University  for testing the heat pump he had built which is specifically adapted for UK climate, the UK's building stock and how the homes in the UK are commonly heated e.g. a combi boiler.

When RHI was first introduced, it required heat pumps to have costly certification and sadly Brendon's heat pump had to be put on the back burner... after all, Brendon is extremely busy installing heat pumps for people and has been putting heat pumps in for many years.

(Note, if you are an investor in innovation you'd do well to contact Brendon to discuss this heat pump)

The test rig uses a 500L thermal store to simulate the internal of a property "it's got inertia, it's got thermal capacity and it's got buffer "

A plate heat exchanger connecting the thermal store to the heat pump simulates a radiator system which can have temps and flow rates changed.

Brendon describes how this set up is able to run different testing than the excellent Energy House at Salford University and benefit from quick responses to different heating stratagies and scenarios. 

TESTING SYSTEM DESIGN 

1. testing a heat pump system with 3rd party controls and buffer tank
2. testing a heat pump system with weather compensation and buffer tank
3. testing a heat pump system with weather compensation and no buffer tank e.g. open zone or what has been called direct in the test which can be found here

The test simulated a house with an 11.5kW heat load.

With the first test the heat pump had to run at 50 degree Celsius flow to maintain an internal temp of 21 degrees.

In the second test the flow temp dropped to 45d.

The final test, with open zone system, no buffer and controlled with manufactures wether compensation controls only required a flow temp coming from the heat pump of 35 degrees C

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a text

We chat to Szymon from Urban Plumbers who is now installing heat pumps to get a glimpse into that journey. Szymon has a great YouTube channel which you can find here

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a text

Nathan chats with Tarik Bellahcene from the European Heat Pump Association about Keymark

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a text

We spoke with Graeme Fox from BESA about the first world ventilate day. You can watch live also their webinar which will also be recorded


12:00pm GMT - Tuesday 8 November 2022

Join our panel of experts as they discuss how good ventilation can improve health and wellbeing as well as protect buildings. We will share top ventilation tips and practical solutions to implement your home, school or workplace. They answer the key questions such as: 

• What is ventilation? 
• What is the right solution for my building? 
• How does it improve sleep/health/productivity? 
• How do I know if I have a ventilation problem? 
• Can ventilation really reduce the spread of flu, colds, and other diseases? 
• Energy costs mean I don't want to open my windows in winter – what options do I have? 

BESA are supporting the global awareness campaign to promote the critical role building ventilation plays in improving health, well-being, sleep and productivity alongside scientists, academics, engineering bodies and environmental activists.

As well as showcasing the range of ventilation solutions available to building owners and occupiers, #WorldVentil8Day will recognise the skilled people who implement the measures and strategies used to make buildings healthier and safer – highlighting the need for training and recruiting more skilled people to take on this growing global task. 

You can find the link to the webinar here
 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a text

We chat to Phil Jones from Alpha about boilers and their need to be working better with proper control. 

We also mention the hybrid offering from Alpha where for aprox. £3100 a home owner can have a new boiler which is connected to a 4kW fan coil unit outside.

Enjoy the  episode and thanks for listening 

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a text

Fantastic episode with Barry who runs Renewable Heat up in Scotland. We discuss his heat pump journey as well as his work with the plumbing and heating association Snipef.

We discuss lots such as MCS, the NIBE PVT system, sizing heat pumps and the new service which www.heatpimpsurvey.com provides which measures rather than calculates heat loss.

We also mention how some of the old solid wall buildings are some of Barry's best performing systems.

Defrost cycles are discussed and how a heat pump can become more efficient the colder it gets outside due to lack of moisture in the air.

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a text

Nathan chats to the MD of EOGB about a UK first - a domestic modulating oil boiler.

The boiler uses open therm to modulate the flame and will output different flow temps to the radiators or other heating emitters. 

Nathan starts the episode with a little pre-amble about the importance of flow temps constantly changing to match the demand of the property. 

Enjoy!

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a text

We are joined by Richard Burrows from Mid Wales Plumbing and Heating Supplies who is an expert on heating control strategy.

Richard talks about the types of modulation - load compensation and weather compensation and how all boilers should be controlled this way.

To understand modulation I have written an article with a funny analogy here

With advice about turning boiler temperatures down for combination boilers 'combis' Richard chats about heating systems using cylinders and how the outdated practice of piping up S and Y plans is scuppering  efficiency. 

Great episode this

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a text

Nathan chats with his friend Dave who runs and owns Condensate Pro and now Primary Pro.

Primary Pro is a polyethylene product which comes pre painted making it easier to use than class O insulation. He has also developed Bond & Seal which can be applied all weathers unlike the contact adhesive which is used for Class O.

The conversation is a useful resource for people wanting to understand the types of pipe insulation available and how to install it correctly, especially for heat pump pipework which is outside

Topics

•  weather resistance and weather proofing are discussed along with UV protection.
• polyethylene and Class O
• Nitrate Rubber Foam
• Closed cell insulation
• Clipping insulation

VISIT A HEAT PUMP WITH NESTA check out this new initiative

Acknowledgements:

Thank you to all the podcast listeners.
Thanks to this seasons sponsor Farnell UK
Thanks to the European Heat Pump Association for their support

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky

Send us a text

Nathan is a big supporter of diversity within the heating industry and this special episode is the first ever BetaTalk podcast takeover e.g. Nathan is not in it. 

The episode has been hosted by three remarkable women who are involved in  plumbing and heating: Sovey, Leah and Rhiannon. They interviewed one of Nathan's friends Andy who has been involved in the industry for quite some time. 

A fun packed episode with all kinds of interesting stuff

Support the show

Learn more about heat pump heating by following
Nathan on Linkedin, Twitter and BlueSky