The Bin Method to Investigate the Effect of Climate Conditions on the SCOP of Air Source Heat Pumps: the Italian Case

Abstract

The paper investigates the seasonal performances of electric air-to-water heat pumps specifically related to climatic conditions of the place where the heat pump is installed. The analysis is carried out using easily available weather data for some Italian towns differently located, and using the bin-method proposed by UNI/TS 11300-4. Two different types of heat pumps (on-off and inverter-driven variable speed compressor) are considered and comparisons between different types of heat pumps and different places of installation are performed. The analysis shows that the climate of the installation place is the most important factor that affects seasonal indexes of heat pumps; moreover, as expected, inverter heat pumps better perform than on-off ones.