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Impact of Variable Speed Components on the Seasonal Performance of a Residential Air-Source Heat Pump. 

Number: No 210

Author(s) : MERAL F., OBST O., SALTS N. P., GROLL E. A.

Summary

Heat pumps utilizing variable-speed compressors and other capacity control techniques offer significant seasonal efficiency improvements over traditional single-speed systems by reducing system cycling losses and corresponding system inefficiencies. However, the majority of residential heat pumps operated in the United States (US) utilize single-speed Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) compressors and offer few capacity control options. This paper presents testing results of a novel electronic drive that enables the variable-speed control of conventionally single-speed PSC motors in compressors and fans using a low power inverter. The focus of this research is to improve the cooling seasonal performance of a 2-ton (6.7 kW) off-the-shelf residential air-source heat pump by replacing its PSC scroll compressor with a PSC rotary compressor and applying the low power inverter to enable variable speed control of the PSC motors. This paper also presents the impact of a variable speed indoor blower with an electronically commutated motor (ECM) and two variable speed outdoor fans: the first with a variable speed PSC motor enabled by the electronic drive and the second with a conventional variable speed ECM motor. The modified heat pump has been tested in psychrometric chambers for Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) / Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). The results show that a SCOP/SEER improvement of nearly 33% is possible using a low power inverter for the PSC compressor combined with variable speed ECM indoor and PSC and ECM outdoor fans. Results also indicate a total SCOP/SEER improvement of 40% is possible by changing from a PSC scroll compressor to a PSC rotary compressor while also utilizing variable speed fans.

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Pages: 11 p.

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  • Original title: Impact of Variable Speed Components on the Seasonal Performance of a Residential Air-Source Heat Pump. 
  • Record ID : 30030041
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: 13th IEA Heat Pump Conference 2021: Heat Pumps – Mission for the Green World. Conference proceedings [full papers]
  • Publication date: 2021/08/31

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