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Swedish manufacturer Qvantum has developed a 6 kW heat pump for apartments connected to district heating systems. It uses propane (R290) as a refrigerant. Qvantum has developed a propane heat pump for use in apartments connected to low-temperature district heating systems. “Heat pumps have been available for many years, but as a technology reserved for those who have their own homes. However, most people live in apartments in densely populated urban areas, where fossil fuel heating has been the solution of choice,” says Qvantum. Fredrik Rosenqvist, Qvantums CEO, explains that the company replaces gas burners in apartments with low-temperature local district heating networks, then combines them with compact heat pumps. “Our solution allows European building owners to quickly switch to heating without fossil fuels, both in new and old buildings,” says Rosenqvist. The solution includes a pre-installed water tank indoor unit and a compressor heat pump module, the QG-6(M). Qvantum claims that the heat pump can be placed under the kitchen sink, while the water tank can be wall-mounted anywhere in the home. The heat pump has a heat capacity of 6 kW, measures 230mm x 430mm x 410mm and weighs 30kg. The hydraulic unit has a capacity of 145 litres, measures 500mm x 500mm x 1,050mm and weighs 95kg. The Qvantum QG has a coefficient of performance (COP) of 4, according to the companys data sheet. Supposedly it can produce hot water up to 70ºC. Its seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) for heating water at 35ºC is 4.42, while the SCOP for applications at 55ºC is 3.81. The solution is based on local low-temperature district heating networks using 10ºC to 20ºC incoming loop water and heat pumps as the energy center. “The energy from that network can then be used by the heat pumps in the apartments, both to provide heating and cooling. Throughout the circuit, excess heat and cold are collected, and the energy is recycled to the network”, explains Qvantum. The new heat pump has recently won the ISH Design Plus award. The contest “rewards forward-looking products that demonstrate an optimal combination of sustainability, aesthetic appeal, and functionality,” according to the ISH Design Plus website. Qvantum has been manufacturing heat pumps for over 30 years. It is now building a new factory in Sweden with an annual capacity of 50,000 heat pumps. |
