OCHSNER Magazine
Reducing heating costs – 10 tips for cheaper heating
OCHSNER heat pumps:
top quality made in Austria
Technology leader in the heat pump sector
From 1978 onwards, the family-owned business OCHSNER was one of the first companies in the world to concentrate exclusively on the development and production of high efficiency, high end heat pumps. OCHSNER has built up a reputation as a technology leader in the heat pump sector thanks to its outstanding technical achievements and innovations. The company develops and manufactures its products exclusively in Austria and Germany, with production processes that comply with Industry 4.0 standards. The company's vision is to use environmental energy to contribute to solving the challenges of our global energy future and climate change. The aim is to actively support the phase-out of fossil fuels and to make every heating system and every act of heat generation environmentally friendly. That's why our slogan is: OCHSNER heat pumps – for me and nature.
Why choose an OCHSNER heat pump?
At the Buchs heat pump test centre in Switzerland, OCHSNER heat pumps regularly achieve top values for efficiency and performance. So OCHSNER sets the standards for efficient heating, cooling and hot water.
Over 170,000 installed systems and hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers in private households and large companies testify to the reliability and operational safety of OCHSNER heat pumps. They are of the highest quality and have a service life of several decades. You can rely on our experienced and highly trained OCHSNER system partners to plan, design and install the perfect heating system for you, while the finished system is commissioned by our in-house OCHSNER Customer Service.
Yes, in fact we even offer the quietest air source heat pump in the world, the AIR HAWK 208. Our advanced OCHSNER technology reduces the noise level of air source heat pumps to a minimum:
- OCHSNER bench evaporators with their horizontally mounted fans run extremely quietly.
- Inverter technology enables infinitely variable speed adjustment to match the current heat demand.
Noise can be minimised even further with the special silent mode and sound-insulating casing. More information about the quietest air source heat pumps.
The sophisticated design of OCHSNER heat pumps meets the highest aesthetic and functional requirements. Our heat pump indoor units are therefore also suitable for installation in living areas, for example in utility rooms or other ancillary rooms. The easily removable casing and clear layout of the technical components facilitate transport, installation and maintenance.
In addition to the broad selection of heating heat pumps, OCHSNER offers the world's largest range of hot water heat pumps, which can make use of sources including waste heat. You will therefore have no difficulty finding the most efficient and economical solution for your home.
OCHSNER heat pumps are Smart Grid-ready. With their advanced, user friendly control technology, you can increase self-consumption from your photovoltaic system straight away and operate the heat pump in a completely environmentally neutral way. As soon as the planned intelligently controlled electricity grids are available, you will benefit from cheap green electricity from these "Smart Grids".
High efficiency OCHSNER heat pumps exceed all the criteria for the subsidy programmes offered by the KfW, BAFA and the federal states. They are included on BAFA's "List of heat pumps with test certificate". This means that you may be eligible for a state subsidy of up to 40 percent when replacing a heating system.
Thanks to the high coefficients of performance achieved by OCHSNER heat pumps, you can more easily meet the requirements of the German Buildings Energy Act (GEG). And this reduces how much you need to invest in thermal insulation and complex system technology. Your OCHSNER system partner will also be happy to offer you information and advice.
Heat pumps
Cosy warmth in winter, domestic hot water for the bathroom and kitchen, pleasant room temperatures on hot summer days: heat pump technology can deliver all of this, without combustion or CO2 emissions, thereby making a key contribution to the fight against climate change. A heat pump is one of the few heating technologies that generate heat without utilising the finite fossil fuels oil and gas or biomass. And it is the only form of heating that can also provide air conditioning and cooling as an option. Due to their high efficiency, OCHSNER heat pumps are suitable for use with underfloor heating systems in new build and renovation projects, and for supplying radiators when a heating system is replaced.
Advantages of a heat pump
You benefit in several ways when you purchase and install a heat pump heating system
Peace of mind for the future<br/> With a heat pump, you get a futureproof heating system and reduce your CO2 consumption.
Independence<br/> A heat pump makes you independent of fluctuating oil and gas prices and of supply bottlenecks affecting fossil resources. You use only environmental energy and electricity.
Improved sustainability<br/> Heat pumps are especially sustainable as they use electricity in a highly efficient way. When they are powered by renewables such as the sun and wind, no CO2 emissions are produced. Heat pumps are set to become an even more environmentally friendly choice with the expansion of renewables.
Reduced heating bills<br/> Energy from ambient air, water or the ground is available free of charge. Only the current used to drive the heat pump process goes on your heating bill. You can reduce your electricity costs further by using a photovoltaic system on the roof of your property to generate some of the electrical energy required.
Improved convenience<br/> Electronic heating controls ensure the best possible user experience when operating a heat pump. For central heating purposes, the heat pump can be optimally adjusted to users' needs and provide the right amount of heating and cooling in living spaces as well as domestic hot water.
Low maintenance costs<br/> Heat pumps require comparatively little maintenance. For instance, there is no chimney to repair or clean. With web-enabled control technology, settings can optionally be adjusted online as well, without the need for a call-out.
Flexibility<br/> Heat pumps can also be used in a hybrid setup in combination with other heat generators, such as solar thermal or biomass systems. This ensures the solution is perfectly matched to your property.
Take advantage of our experience<br/> OCHSNER has built up a reputation as a technology leader in the heat pump sector thanks to its outstanding technical achievements and innovations. Put your trust in a partner that offers you maximum efficiency, reliable quality and futureproof solutions.
How does a heat pump work?
A closer look at the technology behind a heat pump reveals that these systems generate heat without combustion, unlike gas, oil and wood-fired heating systems. They transfer heating energy from a source such as the air, ground or groundwater to another system, usually a heating or domestic hot water system. The temperature level is raised via a thermodynamic process. The key element here is a refrigerant with a very low boiling point that is evaporated, compressed and condensed in a multi-stage process:
1. Evaporator
The refrigerant is evaporated in an evaporator, which draws heat from the air, ground or groundwater. Under low pressure, it changes its physical state from liquid to vapour and absorbs heat from the source.
2. Compressor
A compressor then compresses the vapour under high pressure, raising its temperature in the process. The higher the pressure, the greater the increase in temperature and the more power is needed to drive the compressor. One of the clever things about an OCHSNER heat pump is the optimal ratio between how high the temperature rises and the electricity consumption.
3. Condenser
The refrigerant vapour generated under high pressure and high temperature is condensed in a condenser that is designed as a heat exchanger. Here the heat produced is transferred to the heating or domestic hot water system, and the refrigerant cools down.
4. Expansion valve
The refrigerant then flows through an expansion valve. Expansion cools it again significantly, and it returns to the same temperature and pressure level as at the beginning of the process. Now it can reabsorb heat, and the heat pump process starts again.
What types of heat pump are there?
OCHSNER offers you a selection of heat pumps for different heat sources. To choose the right model, you have to consider which sources are available at your property. Air can be used as a heat source in practically all scenarios, while certain conditions have to be met for ground and water.
Air source heat pumps
Air source heat pumps work with energy from the ambient air. The air source heat pump is the most widespread heat pump system for heating buildings for good reason: air is available everywhere in unlimited supply. No additional site work is needed. This means that OCHSNER air source heat pumps can be installed practically anywhere with comparatively little effort.
Ground source heat pumps
Since this energy source maintains an almost constant temperature throughout the year, OCHSNER ground source heat pumps can be relied upon to achieve excellent efficiency values at all times. The plot must be big enough to use geothermal energy, and permits are generally needed for deep drilling.
Groundwater heat pumps
With constant temperatures of between 8 and 12 °C all year round, groundwater is a heat source that can provide particularly impressive efficiency when used with water/water heat pumps. The groundwater must be at an accessible depth at your home, and you will need approval from the relevant authorities to use it.
Hot water heat pump
Hot water heat pumps extract heat from the indoor air, for example from basements, pantries/storage rooms and ancillary rooms, and use this for domestic hot water heating. OCHSNER offers the largest range of heat pump solutions exclusively for DHW heating – functioning independently of the conventional heating system. Thanks to the relatively constant source temperatures, OCHSNER hot water heat pumps are highly efficient and reliably provide water temperatures of up to 65 °C.
Heating with a heat pump
Heat pumps use energy sources that are available in almost unlimited quantities: solar energy stored in the ambient air, groundwater, ground or other available heat sources. They transform heat at a lower temperature into heat at a higher temperature, even in winter at well below freezing. Around three quarters of the energy required is drawn from the environment in a free, climate-neutral process, while just one quarter comes from the socket. How efficiently a heat pump works depends on the heat source and – significantly – on the technology.
Domestic hot water heating with a heat pump
Heat pumps can also be used for domestic hot water heating. The domestic hot water can be provided by means of various tank technologies, either with separate tanks or in combination with a heating buffer tank. Separate domestic hot water heating via a hot water heat pump is also an option. OCHSNER offers the world's largest range of hot water heat pumps, which can make use of sources including waste heat. With separate domestic hot water heating, the heating system can be switched off entirely in the summer. This improves efficiency and reduces wear.
Cooling with a heat pump
Heat pumps can also be used for cooling and air conditioning. Two types of cooling – passive and active – are possible depending on the heat source and the design of the technology. Passive cooling is an option when the ground or groundwater is used as a heat source. For this, heat is channelled away from the home and released into the ground or groundwater, which are considerably cooler. This can lower the room temperature by around three degrees. Active cooling is somewhat more energy intensive and effective. It works along the lines of an air conditioning system and is an option with heat source air. In this case, the heat pump process is reversed, allowing for a greater cooling capacity.
When is it worth considering a heat pump?
High efficiency OCHSNER heat pumps can be used in new build and renovation projects as well as in renewable energy retrofits.
Heat pumps for new builds
Newly constructed buildings with good insulation and a correspondingly low heat load are ideally prepared for heat pumps. Underfloor heating systems are practically the norm in today's new builds. Heat pumps are growing at a rate that's outstripping all other similar technologies and on the way to becoming the leading heating system in new builds. All heat sources are suitable for new builds if the relevant requirements are met.
Retrofitting existing buildings with heat pumps
Heat pumps are also an environmentally friendly and energy efficient alternative for central heating, domestic hot water heating and optionally cooling when refurbishing and renovating older detached houses and apartment buildings. OCHSNER offers powerful heat pumps that deliver high flow temperatures of up to 65 degrees and can therefore be operated not only with surface heating systems but also with radiators. Air source heat pumps are particularly straightforward to install in refurbishment and renovation projects as no additional site work is required. It can be difficult to lay horizontal collectors in landscaped gardens since the ground has to be dug up. Geothermal probes or groundwater can be an alternative option if the geological conditions are right. Hybrid systems can also make sense in older buildings, for example the combination of a heat pump with a biomass or solar thermal system. Learn more here about using heat pumps in refurbishment and renovation projects.
How much does a heat pump cost?
If you would like a general idea of the cost of investing in a heat pump as well as the projected heating bills, we recommend the OCHSNER product configurator. It will suggest various models that would suit your property, planned home or requirements. The investment costs will differ depending on the heat source selected. Air source heat pumps can be purchased at a comparatively good price. Ground source and groundwater heat pumps have additional costs for excavation work or drilling as well as permit applications. In the longer term, however, the greater efficiency of these solutions may pay off in the form of reduced energy bills. A property's insulation standard is also a factor that affects the final heating costs. In any case, with a perfectly designed and sized heat pump you benefit from a setup that is more energy efficient than all other heating systems and draws most of the energy required from the environment at no cost. If you would like to know exactly how much a system tailored perfectly to your home would cost, your OCHSNER system partner would be pleased to provide you with a quote.
Heat pump power consumption
Heat pumps are unfairly thought to be heavy on electricity. This is simply not the case, as a properly sized, high efficiency OCHSNER heat pump takes three quarters of the heating energy required from the environment, leaving only around one quarter to be supplied as electrical energy. All OCHSNER heat pumps meet the requirements for energy efficiency classes A to A++ and therefore ensure low power consumption. Our heating cost calculator can give you an idea of the expected electricity costs.
Subsidies for heat pumps
Environmentally friendly heat pump technology is supported with subsidies. Home owners and developers can take advantage of various subsidy programmes depending on the country and region they are in.
Heat pumps & photovoltaics
When combined with a home photovoltaic system, a heat pump's operation is almost entirely climate neutral, because for the most part it uses self-generated electricity. Increasing self-consumption also makes the PV system more economical to run. All OCHSNER heat pumps are Smart Grid-ready and therefore already prepared for the use of solar energy. The following benefits are gained through combination with a photovoltaic system:
Green power
The photovoltaic system produces climate-neutral green power, making heat pump operation even more sustainable.
Running costs
The combination of a heat pump and PV system noticeably reduces running costs.
Independence
The electricity prices charged by grid operators have a smaller impact on the heating bills.
Air source heat pump noise
Air source heat pumps need a fan, which is normally situated outside the home. Loud fan noises can annoy occupants and neighbours alike. The highly developed fan technologies in OCHSNER horizontal split evaporators keep outdoor noises from OCHSNER heat pumps extremely low, while special silent modes ensure the noise level is further reduced. Noise emissions are not an issue for ground source or groundwater heat pumps as there is no outdoor fan unit.
Top values in noise tests
OCHSNER air source heat pumps regularly achieve top values in noise tests.
Minimal noise
As the indoor units of OCHSNER air source heat pumps produce only minimal noise, they can even be installed in hallways or utility rooms.
Why choose an OCHSNER heat pump?
What makes OCHSNER the right choice when purchasing a heat pump? There are so many good reasons:
Record-breaking efficiency
OCHSNER heat pumps have been achieving record-breaking levels of efficiency for many years.
Optimum price/performance ratio
OCHSNER heat pumps have an impressively high price/performance ratio.
Particularly quiet running
OCHSNER heat pumps are particularly quiet running.
Quality
Test seals and up to date certificates provide proof of quality.
Durability
Premium quality and durability are the standards that OCHSNER sets for all its appliances.
Technology leader
OCHSNER is an international technology leader for advanced, environmentally friendly heat pump systems.
Would you like to benefit from the many advantages of a heat pump and heat your property in an affordable and sustainable way?
We would be happy to advise you – contact us right away!
