News Navigation
News Navigation
News Navigation
The transformation of building technology towards greater energy efficiency is often reduced to individual components. In practice, however, it is not the isolated product that determines the actual benefit, but the interaction between heat generation, heat distribution and control. This is precisely where a system approach comes in, which does not consider heat pumps, radiators, panel heating, storage technology and ventilation separately, but consistently coordinates them with each other.
The company, based in Plattling in Lower Bavaria, can look back on a long history of development. Originally coming from the classic radiator business, the portfolio was expanded step by step. Radiators were followed by surface heating systems, later heat pump and storage systems, and solutions for controlled residential ventilation. Today, this has resulted in a wide range of components that are not separate entities, but are designed to work together as a coherent overall system. This background also shapes the approach at the trade fair. The focus is not only on a single product, but on the question of how existing buildings can be modernised efficiently without necessarily having to convert to complete surface heating systems.
A key highlight of the trade fair is a new heat pump with a performance class that is rarely found in this combination. With twenty kilowatts in the A-7/W35 design, the system is also aimed at larger detached and semi-detached houses or renovated existing buildings. Particularly relevant here is the use of the natural refrigerant propane, which is gaining importance both in regulatory and ecological terms. However, performance alone is not the decisive factor. Rather, it is a question of making this performance usable in real buildings, especially where classic radiators are present and underfloor heating alone is not realistic.
There is still a misconception that heat pumps can only be operated efficiently with panel heating systems. The second focus of the presentation addresses precisely this issue. It shows how radiators can be designed to operate at low flow temperatures, thereby significantly increasing the efficiency of the heat pump. The focus is on a fan-assisted radiator that is almost indistinguishable from a conventional model. The decisive factor is the internal technology. Active air support increases heat dissipation, so that significantly more heating power is available for the same size. This allows the required flow temperature to be reduced noticeably.
The x-flair radiator used combines classic radiant heat with demand-based convection. Two sensors continuously measure both the room temperature and the surface temperature of the radiator. The fan output is regulated on this basis. The fan does not run continuously, but adapts dynamically to the actual heating demand. The result is a significant increase in heating Output of the heating system. In practice, flow temperatures can be reduced by up to fifteen Kelvin. For the heat pump, this means a considerable increase in efficiency, as every degree lowered noticeably improves the coefficient of performance.
The advantage of this approach is particularly evident in existing buildings. Old radiators can be replaced with new models of the same size without having to change pipes, connections or room layouts. At the same time, the temperature level of the entire system is reduced, allowing the heat pump to operate within an efficient operating range. The combination of a heat pump and radiators creates a system that dispels many of the common reservations. Heat distribution becomes more efficient without requiring higher temperatures, and the heat pump can also demonstrate its strengths in existing buildings.
The flow temperature remains the central control variable. The lower the temperature level, the more efficiently the heat pump works. This effect can be achieved precisely by increasing the heating output of the radiator. At the same time, controllability is maintained, as the fan control reacts sensitively to actual demand. This principle not only affects energy consumption, but also system dimensioning. An efficient heat pump can be designed to be smaller, which reduces investment costs and space requirements.
Beyond the individual components, the overall system is considered. The heat pump is prepared for the integration of photovoltaic electricity, including own use and combination with battery storage. The self-generated electricity can be used directly for heat generation, which reduces dependence on external energy prices. Control technology, hydraulic balancing and retrofit solutions also come into play. These ensure that radiators, panel heating and heat generation are optimally coordinated and that the system operates stably and efficiently in everyday use.
The claim goes beyond product development. Planning support, application technology and system consulting are also part of the concept. The aim is not to confront customers with individual components, but to provide functioning complete solutions. This results in an approach that integrates heat generation, heat distribution and ventilation. Efficient heat pumps and radiators are not seen as opposites, but as complementary elements of a system that pragmatically and realistically supports the path to climate-neutral building technology.
Trade fair reporting Germany - Trade fair knowledge, dates & events
