Assessment of Air-Source Heat Pumps for Net-Zero Homes in Cold Climate

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An Edmonton-based company, Habitat Studio, designs and builds energy-efficient environmentally benign**Net-Zero homes. The existing heating/cooling system relies on use of air-source heat pumps. These pumps are**efficient at warm and mild climates. However, when the outside temperature decreases significantly (-20 C and**lower), they require backup electric heating elements which is an expensive solution of the problem. Therefore,**the overall efficiency of the net-zero home design reduces.**In this project, a possibility to modify the existing heating system in a way to avoid expensive heating elements**for the pump will be explored. The main outcomes will be rating of the coefficient of performance of these**pumps in well-controlled laboratory conditions at low outside temperatures of -20 C and below, in-situ**assessment of the cold climate air-source heat pumps installed in several homes in Edmonton, and outlining of**the ideas on how to achieve the high efficiency of air-source heat pumps at low outside temperatures. The**results of the project will contribute significantly to Habitat Studio for the modification of the present and**improvement of the future home designs. If the coefficient of performance of the pump is above 1.0, the roof**area required for the solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be reduced.**The assessment of the cold climate air-source heat pumps leads to benefits not only for the company, but for**the Canadians. Pumps' performance data at cold climate conditions is highly needed to improve the efficiency**of the Net-Zero home design. More efficient home design has long-term advantages for the Canadians since it**reduces energy consumption and CO2 footprint.