Online Heat Pump Series: Understanding Common HVAC Systems and their Heat Pump Upgrade Options

Event Summary: This five-session webinar series will focus on heating system identification and heat pump opportunities for vendors serving commercial facilities.

Fri 9/15 @ 9:30-11:00am ET - Module #1 - Heat Pumps: Past, Present, & Future

This first online module is CRITICAL to get everyone on the same page with heat pump technology, to remove previous misconceptions, and to illustrate the role of the heat pump today and over the next 10 years.

• Refrigeration Cycle
• Efficiencies Greater than 100% ?!?!
• Heat Pump Myths Debunked
• Cold Climate Usage
• Dual Fuel Heat Pump Systems (long term or transitionary role)
• Highlights of Upcoming Webinars

Mon 9/18 @ 1:30-3:00pm ET - Module #2 – DX Cooling Systems and Upgrade to Air-source Heat Pumps

Packaged RTUs are the most commonly used system in commercial buildings in the US so they have the most potential impact whenever energy conservation strategies are discussed. In this online module, we will detail their components, operation, and application then explain how to upgrade them to heat pumps. We will then review Split Systems.

• Packaged RTUs
• Market Usage & General Operation
• Gas Heat & Electric Heat
• Traditional Replacement Strategies
• Heat Pump Replacement Alternatives
• Options, layout, and difficulty of project
• Operating Cost Comparison to Gas Heat
• Operating Cost Comparison to Electric Heat
• Split System A/C
• Market Usage & General Operation
• Electric Heat, Hot Water, and Steam
• Traditional Replacement Strategies
• Heat Pump Replacement Alternatives
• Options, layout, and difficulty of project

Fri 9/22 @ 9:30-11:00am ET - Module #3 – Small Systems and Heat Pump Equivalents

Heat pumps are well established in small systems applications, but not applied nearly enough in norther climates. In this 3rd online module in the series, we will go thru the three main types of small heat pump systems (5 tons and under) and then also talk a little bit about VRF systems, which can be a little larger.

• Residential Style Split Systems
• Where and why these are used in commercial applications
• System components and operation
• Heat Pump Replacement Options
• Heat Pump w/ Electric Heat
• Dual Fuel w/ Gas Heat
• Operating Cost Comparisons
• PTACs
• Common Applications such as Hotel Market
• Electric Heating
• Heat Pump Replacement Alternatives
• Ductless Mini-splits
• Common Applications
• Usage as an “add-on” cooling system
• Compliments to other heating systems
• Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF)

Mon 9/25 @ 1:30-3:00pm ET - Module #4 – Boiler Systems and Upgrade to “Heat Pumps Boilers”

Most people think that once you have a gas boiler system, you can never convert the building to heat pumps. However, there are options and we will explore those in this online module.

• Hydronic Hot Water Systems
• Basic components and layout
• Terminal Types: Radiators, Coils, Baseboard, etc.
• Heat Pump Enhancement Options
• Traditional DX Heat Pump to Supplement Boiler
• Hydronic Heat Pump to Replace Boiler
• Steam System Differences from Hydronic
• Heat Pump Enhancement Options

Fri 9/29 @ 9:30-11:00am ET - Module #5 – Chilled Water Cooling Systems and Conversion to Heat-Cool Chillers

This is the final online module in the series, but one of the most impactful. You can use a chiller to heat a building... and possible do it more efficiently than all of the other systems previously covered in this series.

• Chilled Water System Layout and Components
• Chiller Types
• Possible Heat Pump Enhancements
• Air-source heat pump to produce chilled water
• Simultaneous Heating and Cooling Chillers
• Geothermal