WO2013011266A2 - Heating installation - Google Patents

Heating installation Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2013011266A2
WO2013011266A2 PCT/GB2012/050939 GB2012050939W WO2013011266A2 WO 2013011266 A2 WO2013011266 A2 WO 2013011266A2 GB 2012050939 W GB2012050939 W GB 2012050939W WO 2013011266 A2 WO2013011266 A2 WO 2013011266A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
heat pump
heating installation
heating
heat
fireplace
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2012/050939
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2013011266A3 (en
Inventor
Gary Stanton Webster
Original Assignee
Smith's Environmental Products Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Smith's Environmental Products Limited filed Critical Smith's Environmental Products Limited
Publication of WO2013011266A2 publication Critical patent/WO2013011266A2/en
Publication of WO2013011266A3 publication Critical patent/WO2013011266A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D18/00—Small-scale combined heat and power [CHP] generation systems specially adapted for domestic heating, space heating or domestic hot-water supply
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24B—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES FOR SOLID FUELS; IMPLEMENTS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH STOVES OR RANGES
    • F24B1/00—Stoves or ranges
    • F24B1/18—Stoves with open fires, e.g. fireplaces
    • F24B1/185—Stoves with open fires, e.g. fireplaces with air-handling means, heat exchange means, or additional provisions for convection heating ; Controlling combustion
    • F24B1/188—Stoves with open fires, e.g. fireplaces with air-handling means, heat exchange means, or additional provisions for convection heating ; Controlling combustion characterised by use of heat exchange means , e.g. using a particular heat exchange medium, e.g. oil, gas  
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24B—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES FOR SOLID FUELS; IMPLEMENTS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH STOVES OR RANGES
    • F24B1/00—Stoves or ranges
    • F24B1/18—Stoves with open fires, e.g. fireplaces
    • F24B1/1808—Simulated fireplaces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D15/00—Other domestic- or space-heating systems
    • F24D15/04—Other domestic- or space-heating systems using heat pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D17/00—Domestic hot-water supply systems
    • F24D17/0015—Domestic hot-water supply systems using solar energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D17/00—Domestic hot-water supply systems
    • F24D17/02—Domestic hot-water supply systems using heat pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
    • F24D3/005—Hot-water central heating systems combined with solar energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
    • F24D3/18—Hot-water central heating systems using heat pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H4/00—Fluid heaters characterised by the use of heat pumps
    • F24H4/06—Air heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24C—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C7/00—Stoves or ranges heated by electric energy
    • F24C7/002—Stoves
    • F24C7/004—Stoves simulating flames
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2101/00—Electric generators of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2101/50—Thermophotovoltaic [TPV] modules
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2103/00—Thermal aspects of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2103/10—Small-scale CHP systems characterised by their heat recovery units
    • F24D2103/13—Small-scale CHP systems characterised by their heat recovery units characterised by their heat exchangers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/16—Waste heat
    • F24D2200/18—Flue gas recuperation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/12—Hot water central heating systems using heat pumps
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/52—Heat recovery pumps, i.e. heat pump based systems or units able to transfer the thermal energy from one area of the premises or part of the facilities to a different one, improving the overall efficiency

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a heating installation.
  • the invention relates to a heating installation comprising a heat pump adapted to be installed in a chimney breast behind a fireplace, thereby to replace a conventional back boiler.
  • a further aspect of the present invention relates to a heat pump adapted for use in such an installation.
  • a back boiler is a compact boiler installed behind the firebox of a fireplace.
  • the term "chimney breast” is used herein to mean the cavity at the bottom of the chimney behind the firebox, and not the front wall of the fireplace flue.
  • Back boilers are often used in combination with an open fire, or a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, to recover excess heat which would otherwise be lost up the chimney, and to transfer that heat to a domestic hot water and/or central heating system.
  • Back boilers can also be located behind electric, gas or oil-fired room heaters installed in a fireplace, and in such arrangements there may be no direct connection between the room heater and the back boiler. That is to say, the back boiler operates independently of the room heater and does not recover heat therefrom, but merely takes advantage of the otherwise redundant space in the chimney breast behind the room heater.
  • a conventional heat pump capable of providing sufficient heating capacity to meet the domestic hot water and central heating needs of an average house will tend necessarily to be rather large in size. This usually leads to heat pumps being located in an area away from the living area of the house, such as in a garage or cellar. In houses without such areas, the expected size of a heat pump can discourage many people from adopting this highly efficient and clean technology.
  • the present invention stems from the realisation that heat pump technology can be made more accessible by making a heat pump significantly small for installation in a chimney breast behind a fireplace, in the space that otherwise would be occupied by a back boiler. Furthermore, by facilitating installation of the heat pump in that space, the heat pump will in use appear to be quieter to occupants of the room.
  • a heating installation comprising:
  • a heat pump adapted to be installed in a chimney breast behind a fireplace; and at least one of:
  • a heat exchanger also adapted to be installed in the fireplace and in fluid communication with the heat pump to enable the transfer of heat from the heat pump to a room;
  • the heat pump is arranged to supply both a domestic hot water system and a domestic central heating system.
  • the adaptation of the heat pump to enable it to be installed in a chimney breast requires the heat pump to be appreciably smaller than a conventional heat pump.
  • the required reduction in size also necessitates an increase in the efficiency of the heat pump in order to perform to the same capacity as a standard unit.
  • a heat pump exhibiting increased efficiency, which is particularly suitable for use in the heating installation of the present invention, is described in the Applicant's co-pending UK Patent Application No. 10 10759.7.
  • the efficiency of the heat pump can also be further enhanced by utilising it in combination with a low energy central heating system, rather than a conventional central heating system.
  • a particularly suitable low energy heating installation is described in the Applicant's co-pending UK Patent Application published as GB 2,475,243.
  • the heat pump is adapted to feed a low energy domestic central heating system utilising one or more fan-assisted radiators.
  • fan-assisted radiators are described in the Applicant's co- pending UK Patent Application published as GB 2,453,342 and in the Applicant's co-pending UK Patent Application No. 1 1 10951 .9.
  • a heat pump having improved sound attenuation properties may also be beneficial in the heating installation of the present invention for delivering a quieter performance.
  • Such a heat pump is described in the Applicant's co-pending UK Patent Application No. 10 14827.8.
  • a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the heat pump enables the heat pump to function also as a space heater, removing the need for a separate electric, gas or oil-fired room heater to be installed in the fireplace. This provides a further benefit as regards energy efficiency and environmental concerns, since a single renewable heat source is now employed to provide direct space heating, domestic hot water, and domestic central heating.
  • the heating installation may further comprise an electric heating element for location in the fireplace and arranged to enable the transfer of heat therefrom to said room by converting electrical energy into heat energy.
  • a heating element may comprise a part of a self-contained heating appliance.
  • the heating installation may further comprise a hydronic heating appliance located in the fireplace and incorporating the heat exchanger, thereby to enable the transfer of heat to the room.
  • hydronic heating appliance is used herein in this context to mean a heating appliance which heats air by causing it to flow over, around or through a heat exchanger through which heated water is passed.
  • the hydronic heating appliance preferably comprises an electrically-driven fan arranged to cause air to flow through the heat exchanger, thereby to enable the transfer of heat to the room.
  • the hydronic heating appliance should have aesthetic appeal. It is thus preferred that the hydronic heating appliance should further comprises flame simulation means.
  • the flame simulation means comprises flame-effect generators arranged to be blown by the electrically-driven fan, so as to cause motion of the flame-effect generators.
  • a particularly suitable flame-effect hydronic heating appliance is described in the Applicant's UK Patent No. 2,378,241 .
  • the heat pump is preferably a water-to-water heat pump, and may utilise any appropriate heat source, such as ground source, geothermal or air source heat.
  • the heating installation further comprises at least one auxiliary energy source in communication with said heat pump.
  • the auxiliary energy source preferably is a solar panel, and most preferably is a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar panel, adapted both to deliver hot water to "top-up" the heated water provided by the heat pump to the domestic hot water system, central heating system and/or hydronic heat exchanger, and also to deliver electricity to feed into the mains supply and/or operate the electrical components of the heat pump and the electric fan of the hydronic heating appliance.
  • PVT photovoltaic-thermal
  • a further benefit of the installation of the heat pump in the chimney breast is that the solar panel may conveniently be installed on the roof adjacent the chimney stack, whilst the electrical and/or fluid connectors required to connect the solar panel to the heat pump may be routed to the heat pump via the chimney flue.
  • the scope of the present invention extends to include a heat pump adapted for use in a heating installation as hereinbefore described.
  • a heat pump adapted to be installed in a chimney breast behind a fireplace, and having at least one of: a heat exchanger also adapted to be installed in the fireplace and in fluid communication with said heat pump to enable the transfer of heat from said heat pump to a room; and connectors for establishing a fluid connection between said heat pump and a domestic hot water system and/or a domestic central heating system.
  • Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of heating installation according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of the heating installation of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of heating installation, installed in a house.
  • the heating installation comprises a heat pump 1 1 coupled with a hydronic heating appliance 12.
  • the heat pump 1 1 has connectors (not shown) for establishing a fluid connection between the heat pump 1 1 and a domestic hot water and central heating system.
  • the hydronic heating appliance 12 is adapted to be installed in a fireplace 13, whilst the heat pump 1 1 is adapted to be installed in a chimney breast 14 behind the fireplace 13.
  • the heat pump 1 1 is in fluid communication with a heat exchanger 15, which is incorporated as an integral component of the hydronic heating appliance 12.
  • the hydronic heating appliance 12 also includes an electrically driven fan 16 arranged to draw in ambient air through an air inlet 17 near the bottom of the appliance 12, to blow the air through the heat exchanger 15 thereby causing warming of the air, and then to drive the warmed air our through an air outlet 18 located near the top of the appliance 12.
  • the passage of air through the hydronic heating appliance 12 is illustrated by arrows in Figure 1 .
  • this arrangement enables the heat pump 1 1 effectively to operate, via the hydronic heating appliance 12, as a direct space heater to warm the room 19 in which the hydronic heating appliance 12 is installed, in addition to driving the domestic hot water and central heating system.
  • the hydronic heating appliance 12 incorporates a flame simulation effect in order to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the heating installation 10.
  • the appliance 12 includes flame-effect generators 21 disposed in the air stream illustrated by the arrows.
  • the fan 16 thus causes the flame-effect generators 21 to oscillate, thereby providing the illusion of a flickering flame, in addition to driving the air through the heat exchanger 15.
  • the flame simulation effect is further enhanced by the provision of simulated fuel 22 and a viewing screen 23 on which the image of the simulated flames appears.
  • heating installation 10 installed in a house, generally indicated 30.
  • the components of the heating installation 10 are the same as those described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2, except that the heat pump 1 1 is supplied by an auxiliary energy source in the form of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar panel 31 .
  • the solar panel 31 is installed on the roof 32 of the house 30, adjacent the chimney stack 33 corresponding to the chimney breast 14 in which the heat pump 1 1 is installed.
  • the electrical and fluid connectors 34 required to connect the solar panel 31 to the heat pump 1 1 can thus conveniently be routed down the chimney flue 35.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Steam Or Hot-Water Central Heating Systems (AREA)
  • Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)

Abstract

A heating installation (10) comprises a heat pump (11) adapted to be installed in a chimney breast (14) behind a fireplace (13). A heat exchanger (15) in fluid communication with the heat pump (11) may also be installed in the 5 fireplace (13), to enable the transfer of heat from the heat pump (11) to a room (19). The heat exchanger (15) may desirably be incorporated within a hydronic heating appliance (12) installed in the fireplace (13). Alternatively, or additionally, connectors (34) may be provide for establishing a fluid connection between the heat pump (11) and a domestic hot water system and/or a domestic central 10 heating system.

Description

Heating Installation
This invention relates to a heating installation. In particular, the invention relates to a heating installation comprising a heat pump adapted to be installed in a chimney breast behind a fireplace, thereby to replace a conventional back boiler. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a heat pump adapted for use in such an installation.
A back boiler is a compact boiler installed behind the firebox of a fireplace. The term "chimney breast" is used herein to mean the cavity at the bottom of the chimney behind the firebox, and not the front wall of the fireplace flue. Back boilers are often used in combination with an open fire, or a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, to recover excess heat which would otherwise be lost up the chimney, and to transfer that heat to a domestic hot water and/or central heating system. Back boilers can also be located behind electric, gas or oil-fired room heaters installed in a fireplace, and in such arrangements there may be no direct connection between the room heater and the back boiler. That is to say, the back boiler operates independently of the room heater and does not recover heat therefrom, but merely takes advantage of the otherwise redundant space in the chimney breast behind the room heater.
Despite their efficiency in providing domestic hot water and central heating whilst occupying minimal space within a house, back boilers have fallen out of fashion in recent times, with the trend being towards condensing gas boilers with balanced flues, which must be fitted against an external wall of a building. At the same time, concerns regarding climate change and future availability and cost of fossil fuels have led to a marked increase in appliances such as heat pumps which utilise renewable energy sources.
A conventional heat pump capable of providing sufficient heating capacity to meet the domestic hot water and central heating needs of an average house will tend necessarily to be rather large in size. This usually leads to heat pumps being located in an area away from the living area of the house, such as in a garage or cellar. In houses without such areas, the expected size of a heat pump can discourage many people from adopting this highly efficient and clean technology. The present invention stems from the realisation that heat pump technology can be made more accessible by making a heat pump significantly small for installation in a chimney breast behind a fireplace, in the space that otherwise would be occupied by a back boiler. Furthermore, by facilitating installation of the heat pump in that space, the heat pump will in use appear to be quieter to occupants of the room.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heating installation comprising:
- a heat pump adapted to be installed in a chimney breast behind a fireplace; and at least one of:
- a heat exchanger also adapted to be installed in the fireplace and in fluid communication with the heat pump to enable the transfer of heat from the heat pump to a room; and
- connectors for establishing a fluid connection between said heat pump and a domestic hot water system and/or a domestic central heating system.
Preferably, the heat pump is arranged to supply both a domestic hot water system and a domestic central heating system.
The adaptation of the heat pump to enable it to be installed in a chimney breast requires the heat pump to be appreciably smaller than a conventional heat pump. The required reduction in size also necessitates an increase in the efficiency of the heat pump in order to perform to the same capacity as a standard unit. A heat pump exhibiting increased efficiency, which is particularly suitable for use in the heating installation of the present invention, is described in the Applicant's co-pending UK Patent Application No. 10 10759.7. The efficiency of the heat pump can also be further enhanced by utilising it in combination with a low energy central heating system, rather than a conventional central heating system. A particularly suitable low energy heating installation is described in the Applicant's co-pending UK Patent Application published as GB 2,475,243. Most preferably, the heat pump is adapted to feed a low energy domestic central heating system utilising one or more fan-assisted radiators. Examples of particularly suitable fan-assisted radiators are described in the Applicant's co- pending UK Patent Application published as GB 2,453,342 and in the Applicant's co-pending UK Patent Application No. 1 1 10951 .9. A heat pump having improved sound attenuation properties may also be beneficial in the heating installation of the present invention for delivering a quieter performance. Such a heat pump is described in the Applicant's co-pending UK Patent Application No. 10 14827.8.
The provision of a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the heat pump enables the heat pump to function also as a space heater, removing the need for a separate electric, gas or oil-fired room heater to be installed in the fireplace. This provides a further benefit as regards energy efficiency and environmental concerns, since a single renewable heat source is now employed to provide direct space heating, domestic hot water, and domestic central heating.
The heating installation may further comprise an electric heating element for location in the fireplace and arranged to enable the transfer of heat therefrom to said room by converting electrical energy into heat energy. Such a heating element may comprise a part of a self-contained heating appliance. Alternatively or additionally, where a heat exchanger is provided, the heating installation may further comprise a hydronic heating appliance located in the fireplace and incorporating the heat exchanger, thereby to enable the transfer of heat to the room. The term "hydronic" is used herein in this context to mean a heating appliance which heats air by causing it to flow over, around or through a heat exchanger through which heated water is passed. To this end, the hydronic heating appliance preferably comprises an electrically-driven fan arranged to cause air to flow through the heat exchanger, thereby to enable the transfer of heat to the room.
To enhance the desirability of the heating installation of the present invention, it is important that the hydronic heating appliance should have aesthetic appeal. It is thus preferred that the hydronic heating appliance should further comprises flame simulation means. Most preferably, the flame simulation means comprises flame-effect generators arranged to be blown by the electrically-driven fan, so as to cause motion of the flame-effect generators. A particularly suitable flame-effect hydronic heating appliance is described in the Applicant's UK Patent No. 2,378,241 .
The heat pump is preferably a water-to-water heat pump, and may utilise any appropriate heat source, such as ground source, geothermal or air source heat.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention the heating installation further comprises at least one auxiliary energy source in communication with said heat pump. The auxiliary energy source preferably is a solar panel, and most preferably is a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar panel, adapted both to deliver hot water to "top-up" the heated water provided by the heat pump to the domestic hot water system, central heating system and/or hydronic heat exchanger, and also to deliver electricity to feed into the mains supply and/or operate the electrical components of the heat pump and the electric fan of the hydronic heating appliance.
A further benefit of the installation of the heat pump in the chimney breast is that the solar panel may conveniently be installed on the roof adjacent the chimney stack, whilst the electrical and/or fluid connectors required to connect the solar panel to the heat pump may be routed to the heat pump via the chimney flue.
The scope of the present invention extends to include a heat pump adapted for use in a heating installation as hereinbefore described.
Therefore, according to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a heat pump adapted to be installed in a chimney breast behind a fireplace, and having at least one of: a heat exchanger also adapted to be installed in the fireplace and in fluid communication with said heat pump to enable the transfer of heat from said heat pump to a room; and connectors for establishing a fluid connection between said heat pump and a domestic hot water system and/or a domestic central heating system.
The preferred features of the invention as hereinbefore described with reference to the heating installation according to the first aspect of the present invention should be understood to correspond to the preferred features of the heat pump according to the second aspect of the present invention. In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail, though only by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of heating installation according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the heating installation of Figure 1 ; and
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of heating installation, installed in a house.
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a preferred embodiment of heating installation, generally indicated 10, according to the present invention. The heating installation comprises a heat pump 1 1 coupled with a hydronic heating appliance 12. The heat pump 1 1 has connectors (not shown) for establishing a fluid connection between the heat pump 1 1 and a domestic hot water and central heating system. As is best shown in Figure 3, the hydronic heating appliance 12 is adapted to be installed in a fireplace 13, whilst the heat pump 1 1 is adapted to be installed in a chimney breast 14 behind the fireplace 13.
Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, the heat pump 1 1 is in fluid communication with a heat exchanger 15, which is incorporated as an integral component of the hydronic heating appliance 12. The hydronic heating appliance 12 also includes an electrically driven fan 16 arranged to draw in ambient air through an air inlet 17 near the bottom of the appliance 12, to blow the air through the heat exchanger 15 thereby causing warming of the air, and then to drive the warmed air our through an air outlet 18 located near the top of the appliance 12. The passage of air through the hydronic heating appliance 12 is illustrated by arrows in Figure 1 . As can be appreciated by reference again to Figure 3, this arrangement enables the heat pump 1 1 effectively to operate, via the hydronic heating appliance 12, as a direct space heater to warm the room 19 in which the hydronic heating appliance 12 is installed, in addition to driving the domestic hot water and central heating system.
Referring again to Figure 1 , the hydronic heating appliance 12 incorporates a flame simulation effect in order to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the heating installation 10. To this end, the appliance 12 includes flame-effect generators 21 disposed in the air stream illustrated by the arrows. The fan 16 thus causes the flame-effect generators 21 to oscillate, thereby providing the illusion of a flickering flame, in addition to driving the air through the heat exchanger 15. The flame simulation effect is further enhanced by the provision of simulated fuel 22 and a viewing screen 23 on which the image of the simulated flames appears.
Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown an alternative embodiment of heating installation 10 according to the present invention, installed in a house, generally indicated 30. The components of the heating installation 10 are the same as those described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2, except that the heat pump 1 1 is supplied by an auxiliary energy source in the form of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar panel 31 . The solar panel 31 is installed on the roof 32 of the house 30, adjacent the chimney stack 33 corresponding to the chimney breast 14 in which the heat pump 1 1 is installed. The electrical and fluid connectors 34 required to connect the solar panel 31 to the heat pump 1 1 can thus conveniently be routed down the chimney flue 35.

Claims

Claims
1 . A heating installation comprising:
- a heat pump adapted to be installed in a chimney breast behind a fireplace; and at least one of:
- a heat exchanger also adapted to be installed in the fireplace and in fluid communication with said heat pump to enable the transfer of heat from said heat pump to a room; and
- connectors for establishing a fluid connection between said heat pump and a domestic hot water system and/or a domestic central heating system.
2. A heating installation as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an electric heating element for location in said fireplace and arranged to enable the transfer of heat therefrom to said room.
3. A heating installation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heating element comprises a part of a self-contained heating appliance.
4. A heating installation as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a hydronic heating appliance located in said fireplace and associated with the heat exchanger thereby to enable the transfer of heat to said room.
5. A heating installation as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hydronic heating appliance comprises an electrically-driven fan arranged to cause air to flow over said heat exchanger thereby to enable the transfer of heat to said room.
6. A heating installation as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hydronic heating appliance further comprises flame simulation means.
7. A heating installation as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flame simulation means comprises flame-effect generators arranged to be blown by the electrically-driven fan so as to cause motion of said flame-effect generators.
8. A heating installation as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pump is a water-to-water heat pump.
9. A heating installation as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pump is a ground source heat pump.
10. A heating installation as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pump is a geothermal heat pump.
1 1 . A heating installation as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heat pump is an air source heat pump.
12. A heating installation as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one auxiliary energy source in communication with said heat pump.
13. A heating installation as claimed in claim 12, wherein said auxiliary energy source is a solar panel.
14. A heating installation as claimed in claim 13, wherein said solar panel is a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar panel.
15. A heating installation as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, further comprising electrical and/or fluid connectors connecting said solar panel to said heat pump.
16. A heating installation as claimed in claim 15, wherein said electrical and/or fluid connectors are provided and connect the solar panel to the heat pump via a flue of said chimney.
17. A heating installation as claimed any of the preceding claims wherein the heat pump is adapted to feed a low energy domestic heating system utilising one or more fan-assisted radiators.
18. A heat pump adapted to be installed in a chimney breast behind a fireplace, and having at least one of: a heat exchanger also adapted to be installed in the fireplace and in fluid communication with said heat pump to enable the transfer of heat from said heat pump to a room; and connectors for establishing a fluid connection between said heat pump and a domestic hot water system and/or a domestic central heating system.
19. A heat pump as claimed in claim 18 and adapted for use in a heating installation as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17.
PCT/GB2012/050939 2011-07-21 2012-04-27 Heating installation WO2013011266A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1112555.6 2011-07-21
GB1112555.6A GB2493010A (en) 2011-07-21 2011-07-21 Fireplace heating installation comprising a heat pump

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013011266A2 true WO2013011266A2 (en) 2013-01-24
WO2013011266A3 WO2013011266A3 (en) 2013-09-26

Family

ID=44586953

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2012/050939 WO2013011266A2 (en) 2011-07-21 2012-04-27 Heating installation

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2493010A (en)
WO (1) WO2013011266A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2516127B (en) * 2013-12-11 2016-08-31 Charlton & Jenrick Ltd Heat pump apparatus
GB201400275D0 (en) * 2014-01-07 2014-02-26 Charlton & Jenrick Ltd Heating Apparatus

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1010759A (en) 1963-09-17 1965-11-24 Bayer Ag Bis-triazinylamino-stilbene brightening agents
GB1014827A (en) 1961-08-23 1965-12-31 Yawata Iron & Steel Co Method of accelerating decarburization of a molten steel by a degassing process using a vacuum container
GB1110951A (en) 1964-08-19 1968-04-24 Commissariat Energie Atomique Method of preparation of ammonium phosphotungstate and product obtained
GB2378241A (en) 2001-05-01 2003-02-05 Smith S Environmental Products Flame effect heating appliance
GB2453342A (en) 2007-10-04 2009-04-08 Smith S Environmental Products Energy efficient fan convector heating unit with interchangeable standard and low energy operating modes
GB2475243A (en) 2009-11-10 2011-05-18 Smith S Environmental Products Ltd Heating installation having a heat pump and one or more fan convector heating units

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1532542A (en) * 1975-01-14 1978-11-15 Awalt T Hot or cold storage system
FR2431664A1 (en) * 1978-07-20 1980-02-15 Bernier Jacques HEATING PUMP HEATER INSTALLATION
RU2127402C1 (en) * 1997-06-25 1999-03-10 Мадоян Ашот Арменович Gear to create comfortable conditions in room
US6886626B2 (en) * 2003-01-21 2005-05-03 H. Richard Miller Chimney heat exchange system
US7487821B2 (en) * 2003-01-21 2009-02-10 Miller H Richard Fireplace augmented chimney heat exchange system
GB2459927A (en) * 2008-05-14 2009-11-18 Charlton & Jenrick Ltd Heating appliance including a modular heat pump partially housed within a flame effect fire
US20110041833A1 (en) * 2009-08-21 2011-02-24 James Wayne Blevins Solar heat exchanger controller
FR2951526A1 (en) * 2009-10-19 2011-04-22 Emmanuel Bousset Heat exchanging device for use in e.g. heat pump to supply heat to swimming pool, has metal surface heat exchanger capturing heat present in air from heat source and restoring heat to coolant e.g. water, oil or glycol water

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1014827A (en) 1961-08-23 1965-12-31 Yawata Iron & Steel Co Method of accelerating decarburization of a molten steel by a degassing process using a vacuum container
GB1010759A (en) 1963-09-17 1965-11-24 Bayer Ag Bis-triazinylamino-stilbene brightening agents
GB1110951A (en) 1964-08-19 1968-04-24 Commissariat Energie Atomique Method of preparation of ammonium phosphotungstate and product obtained
GB2378241A (en) 2001-05-01 2003-02-05 Smith S Environmental Products Flame effect heating appliance
GB2453342A (en) 2007-10-04 2009-04-08 Smith S Environmental Products Energy efficient fan convector heating unit with interchangeable standard and low energy operating modes
GB2475243A (en) 2009-11-10 2011-05-18 Smith S Environmental Products Ltd Heating installation having a heat pump and one or more fan convector heating units

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201112555D0 (en) 2011-08-31
GB2493010A (en) 2013-01-23
WO2013011266A3 (en) 2013-09-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2382422B1 (en) Stove comprising an apparatus for capturing heat
GB2493582A (en) Climate control system
MD110Y (en) Gas-fired hot-water boiler
US20170010000A1 (en) Apparatus for capturing heat from a stove
WO2013011266A2 (en) Heating installation
EP2504629A2 (en) Heat pump cabinet
CN2811846Y (en) Split type heat pipe hot blast warmer
CN2606302Y (en) Multi exhaust water heater
CN202442398U (en) Household combustion gas hot air heating stove
CN201680420U (en) Biomass energy water heated air-conditioner system for cooking, bathing and heating
US20100186731A1 (en) American chimney furnace
CN201561556U (en) Water heating boiler with fire coal
KR200247685Y1 (en) An electric boiler
WATER E-TECH
Turner Keeping warm this winter
CN205669843U (en) A kind of effective warming uses gas and hot water spit of fland
CN101832610B (en) Biomass energy cooking, bathing and heating water temperature air-conditioning system
GB2356451A (en) Air heating means for a simulated solid fuel fire
KR100972138B1 (en) Naturally circulating heating system by using solar energy
CN201561557U (en) Vertical plate type gas water heating boiler
CZ20031182A3 (en) Fireplace or fire-stove and method for utilizing primary heat
CN201680494U (en) Biomass energy water temperature air-conditioning system
CN201382455Y (en) Heating and cooking multipurpose kitchen stove
CN2624154Y (en) Water heater
Фомичева et al. HVAC Engineering

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 12722798

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2