| Abstract | The operation of heat pumps for residential space heating is described. The air-to-air heat pump is able to compete economically with electrical resistance heating systems. From a "prime" energy use point of view, it can raise the over-all efficiency of electrical heating from 28 to 42 per cent. If the seasonal performance factor could be improved, in this case by 35 per cent, the air-to-air heat pump would be more resource energy efficient than conventional oil and gas furnaces. Other heat pump systems, listed below, require further investigation to assess their potential for residential application: (i) ground source heat pump, (ii) solar-assisted heat pump, (iii) "ice-maker" heat pump. Important factors that need to be considered in the use of heat pumps are: (i) initial cost to the consumer, (ii) system reliability, (iii) load factor and time of peak demand on the electrical utility. |
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