Heat pump system with absorber piles Savings in running costs, reductions in CO2 emissions, energy autonomy and public grants are the main reasons which motivate owners to install heat pump systems with enercret absorber piles. - Completion: 2001 - Heating capacity: 150 kW - Client: Belvista Finanz AG, Altendorf - CH - Architect: Diethelm & La Russa, Rapperswil - CH - Building services consultant: Ing.-Büro G. Einfalt, Jona - CH Heat pump: The heat pump utilizes a virtually inexhaustible resource as vast amounts of energy are stored in the ground and groundwater. This resource permanently regenerates itself through solar irradiation, rainfall and the earth's heat. Every square metre of earth surface is irradiated by approximately 1100 kW of solar energy on an annual basis. The potential is therefore almost limitless. The heat pump utilizes this energy with a high degree of efficiency. One quarter of electrical drive power extracts three quarters of environmental energy. That means: three quarters of the useful heat cost nothing. enercret absorber piles: Ground-contact concrete elements which form part of the normal structural design of the building are used to house circuits made from PE piping. Heat is extracted from the ground through these concrete elements. They thus fulfil a dual function: structural requirement and heat source. What that means for the environment: - The reduced use of fossil fuels such as oil and gas can cut CO2 emissions by up to approx. 75% The benefits for you: - The heat pump needs very little space, which means that the boiler room can be used for another purpose. - Fully automatic and quiet operation. - No oil or exhaust fumes in the cellar. - The cellar temperature is normal as the heat pump does not require any combustion air and does not produce waste heat. - No chimney. No more annual costs for the chimney sweep. - No cleaning and maintenance work. - Simple operation. - Extremely reliable supply as the only extraneous energy required - electrical power - is mains-borne. - The heat pump is not dependent on the unpredictable development of oil supplies and prices. - The systems available today are technically mature products which operate virtually maintenance-free and ensure a long service life. - A solar panel system for domestic hot water is the ideal complement for the heat pump. - Attractive grants from government bodies and power generating companies. - Savings in fuel costs by approx. 3/4 compared to conventional heating systems.