Vitocal – Commercial/residential heat pumps

VITOCAL 200-A Air Source Heat Pump (Outdoor Unit)

Topics at a Glance

Introduction to Vitocal heat pumps
How a heat pump works
Benefits of Vitocal heat pumps
Types of heat pumps

Commercial-Residential Heat Pumps

Viessmann's extensive product range offers the adequate commercial heat pumps to suit each need. Indeed, even at the planning stage, auxiliary and topographical conditions, just as close to home and individual inclinations concerning the warmth request can be considered.

The Energycal series is a scope of high productivity, monoblock air to water and water to water heat pumps, appropriate for proficient warming, cooling and domestic boiling water (DHW) applications.

Running a head pump with power created nearby by a photovoltaic framework is especially naturally dependable and entirely moderate. The commercial heat pumps can be configured for providing hot or chilled water. Viessmann commercial heat pumps offer their users an additional benefit.

Benefits of Viessmann heat pumps

Lowers your heating bills with efficient use of energy resources

Draws energy from renewable sources like the air, ground, water and the sun

Reduces CO2 emissions

Can be combined with a mechanical ventilation system to create a complete air-conditioning system

Suitable for old and new houses and buildings

How does a heat pump work?

A heat pump works in a similar way to a refrigerator – only in reverse. While a refrigerator directs heat to the outside, a heat pump extracts energy from the ground, the air or the groundwater and makes it usable for heating indoors.

Refrigerant circuit of Viessmann heat pumps briefly explained

The design of the refrigerant circuit is crucial for the efficiency of a heat pump. Viessmann uses the most advanced components for this. They are characterised by quiet operation, low vibrations and an extremely long service life. To generate heat, thermal energy is extracted from the environment and used to evaporate a refrigerant that boils at a low temperature. The electrically driven compressor compresses the gas this creates and raises it to a higher temperature level. A heat exchanger transfers the energy from the heated gas to the heating circuit. The refrigerant, which is still under pressure, condenses again and is expanded in an expansion valve. The temperature drops sharply in the process. The cycle, and with it the heating with heat pump, then start again.

Recovering environmental energy

Various natural resources are suitable for heat recovery using a heat pump. Commercial heat pumps from Viessmann not only prove their worth in detached and two-family houses, but also ensure a reliable and efficient heating and cooling for properties requiring a rated heating output of up to 2000 kW. This covers large residential buildings, commercial and industrial operations, and local authority sites. There are 3 kinds of the standard product range: air to water, water to water reversible commercial, and heating only heat pumps.

Commercial heat pumps

Commercial Heat Pumps from Viessmann are reliable heating sources suited for large residential and commercial buildings. They can easily be used with renewable energy sources providing you opportunities to reduce your overall costs.

What sets the Vitocal heat pumps apart?

All Vitocal heat pumps from Viessmann are characterised by very quiet operation, with low vibrations and low maintenance. In addition, they have an impressively high coefficient of performance (COP). This describes the ratio of heat transfer to power consumption. The higher this value, the more efficiently the heat pump works.

Vitocal heat pumps operate quietly due to the sound-optimised, low vibration appliance design. The Vitocal 200-S and 222-S split heat pumps are distinguished by extremely quiet indoor units. With these two models, the refrigerant circuit is split between two units. The evaporator and compressor are housed in the outdoor unit. The condenser, on the other hand, is located in the indoor unit.

In addition, many models can be installed close to the living space, as they do not take up a lot of room. This is what marks out the Vitocal 333-G and 222-G compact units in particular. The footprint of the former, for example, is less than half a square metre.

Ideal for combining

Vitocal heat pumps can also be combined with existing heating systems that still run on oil or gas. The boilers already in place are tasked with covering peak loads. The rest of the time, the Vitocal heat pumps provide heating and hot water.

Vitocal heat pumps can also be combined with a photovoltaic system. The self-generated electricity is used to power the heat pump. This is because, in addition to environmental energy (about three quarters), around one quarter electricity must be supplied so that the heat pump can convert the ambient energy into usable heat. With the special Vitocal function, the refrigerant, which serves as the transfer medium, has to be both compressed and then expanded again. Compressors and expansion valves are used for this. They require electrical energy. You can find out how this works in detail here: How a heat pump works.

May be used for cooling

In addition to heating and hot water, Vitocal heat pumps can also provide cooling. A distinction must be made between natural cooling and active cooling. In the case of the former, brine or groundwater extract heat from the heating circuit via a heat exchanger. This heat is transferred outdoors. The natural ambient temperature is then used for cooling. It should be emphasised that only the circulation pump and control unit remain switched on during this process. All Viessmann brine/water heat pumps use this form of cooling. An accessory is required for the integral cooling function: the NC-Box. The NC-Box is equipped with a mixer for integration into the cooling circuit. This enables continuous operation without falling below the dew point.

Another option is active cooling. Here, the function of the heat pump is reversed. The Vitocal then functions like a refrigerator. In addition to the Vitocal 200-S and Vitocal 222-S split heat pumps, the 200-A and 222-A are also equipped with circuit reversal.

Both cooling versions are combined via the Viessmann AC-Box, which can be used to extend the Vitocal 300-G brine/water heat pump. Depending on the required room temperature, the system switches automatically.

Flexible application options

Vitocal heat pumps offer flexible use with their different output stages and modulating operation. This means they are not just suitable for newly built detached houses, but also apartment buildings or even small commercial premises. The Vitocal 350-G high temperature heat pumps are ideal for larger existing buildings that are equipped with radiator heating systems. This is because they provide high flow temperatures of up to 70 degrees Celsius. Accordingly, they can also be used very effectively in the modernisation of detached houses and apartment buildings.

It is also possible to increase the heating output and cooling capacity by creating what is known as a cascade. This means that several Vitocal heat pumps from the same model series can be connected in series. For example, an output of up to 589 kW can be achieved with the Vitocal 300-G by using the integral cascade function.

For more sizeable residential or apartment buildings, it is possible to install large Viessmann heat pumps. For example, a Vitocal 300-G/-W Pro achieves up to 240 or 290 kW. If several of these models are in turn connected in a cascade, an output of up to 1450 kW is feasible. They are therefore also suitable for commercial enterprises and local authority premises.

Choose your heat pump based on the energy source

To heat rooms and household water of properties with different local conditions and heat demand, various types of environmental energy may be used. Viessmann offers homeowners and modernisers with a wide choice of heat pumps with the Vitocal series, which comprise models to suit all heat sources and needs.

Viessmann heat pumps have been on the market since the 1970s and use various energy sources:

Air
Ground
Water
Waste heat
Ice store

With the right technology from Viessmann, you can keep your heating costs low from day one, and reduce the burden on the environment. More information on heat pumps is available in the heizung.de heat pump guide.

Heat from the air

Air is available everywhere, and it's free of charge. In addition, ambient air always contains heat – even if it feels chilly outside. The lower, physical temperature limit is -273.15 degrees Celsius. This means that any temperature above this still contains thermal energy that can be used. Even if it might be possible in theory, economical operation with an air source heat pump can only be achieved down to around -20 degrees Celsius. The heat pump can be positioned both indoors and out. For detailed information on how this heat pump works, see: How the air source heat pump works.

[1] Vitocal heat pump
[2] DHW cylinder
[3] Heating water buffer cylinder

Heat from the ground (probe)

An enormous amount of energy lies dormant in the earth, and it's almost inexhaustible. This heat source boasts relatively high and constant temperatures. Starting at a depth of around 10 metres, these temperatures remain relatively high, even throughout the winter. As depth increases, so do temperatures, and with them the amount of thermal energy. With the help of a brine/water heat pump, a fraction of this energy can be used for central heating and DHW.

There are two common methods of providing heat for the heat pump. Geothermal collectors such as surface and trench collectors or energy absorbing mats are laid close to the surface and absorb thermal energy over their large surfaces in order to then transfer it to the heat pump. Geothermal probes, on the other hand, are sunk into the earth vertically or at an angle and extract thermal energy from a depth of 40 to 100 metres. Accordingly, they require less space than geothermal collectors.

When compared to air source heat pumps, brine/water heat pumps generally achieve higher efficiencies, regardless of the method of heat extraction. On the other hand, the planning effort is higher due to the large amount of space required, or the official approval. For more information on this heat source, see the section entitled How the brine/water heat pump works.

[1] Vitocal heat pump
[2] DHW cylinder
[3] Heating water buffer cylinder

The smart way to heat and cool

A state-of-the-art heat pump is a first-line option for new buildings. It eliminates any dependence on fossil gas and oil, is carbon-free and thus climate-friendly when powered by green electricity and, best of all, can be used to cool rooms in the summer months. The Vitocal 200-S and Vitocal 222-S split-design heat pumps now available on the market are also particularly smart solutions. The new devices are based on Viessmann One Base and integrate seamlessly with the Vitovolt PV system and Vitocharge electricity storage system as well as the ViCare and ViGuide apps to form one unified system. Energy efficiency is higher and user comfort maximized.

A DHW heat pump is only used to provide DHW. Both recirculation air and extract air can be used as heat sources. It is decoupled from the actual heating system and, with the appropriate components, can make optimum use of self-generated solar power. If the DHW heat pump uses the recirculation air as a heat source, it also dehumidifies the room and thus protects it from the risk of mould growth. If, on the other hand, it is coupled to an existing air distribution system, it can even ventilate rooms in a controlled manner. To avoid negative pressure, an active ventilation air pipe is required. Viessmann DHW heat pumps are designed for recirculation or extract air operation and are optionally available with an integrated solar heat exchanger and solar control unit for direct use of solar energy.

Heat pumps are not only of interest to owners of detached houses and apartment buildings. Commercial enterprises, local authorities and industry also rely on this efficient and clean technology. Highly efficient systems are used, designed for permanently high requirements and offering a wide range of outputs. Large Viessmann heat pumps cover output ranges from 50 to 600 kW and can also cope with high flow temperatures of up to 90 degrees Celsius. In addition to the ground, groundwater and extract air can also be used as a source of heat. In industrial applications in particular, waste heat can also serve as an energy supplier. In any case, large Viessmann heat pumps use free energy sources to the fullest extent possible. Large heat pumps are even more effective when used in combination with an ice energy store, thus combining the strengths of different heat sources. Similar to most heat pumps in the smaller output range, many large heat pumps can also be used for cooling purpose. For more detailed information, see the section entitled Large heat pumps.

Retrofitting large heat pumps in a dual mode system

Contrary to popular belief, heat pumps are not only used in new build projects in the industrial, commercial or local authority sectors. System owners can also use them in modernisation projects. This is because a large Viessmann heat pump can be perfectly combined with existing heating systems. So traditional oil or gas heating systems can be supplemented with a heat pump. The heat pump is used to take over the base load of DHW and heating energy. In the event of a peak load, either the gas or oil boiler can then be switched on to cover the demand. This form of heating system in industrial settings not only lowers heating costs effectively, but also reduces CO₂ emissions and is therefore an absolute positive when it comes to climate protection.

A comprehensive preparation and planning phase are important

There is a wide choice of heat pumps for commercial and local authorities uses. Each case comes with individual requirements. To find the right heat pump for the case in question, we recommend a comprehensive preparation and planning phase. One of our competent Viessmann partners will be ready to support you.

A commercial installation of the VITOCAL 300-G

Cascade of Viessmann Vitocal 300-G-Pro heat pumps