Heat pump technology in the present environment- and energy situation

Ambient heat, used by heat pump technologies, is a domestic and renewable source of energy. The utilization of ambient heat corresponds to the goals of a future oriented energy policy: (1) the reduction of primary energy requirements and imports, especially oil, (2) the increased use of domestic renewable energies, (3) reduction of CO2-emissions. The efficient use of heat pumps for space heating is determined by a number of criteria: low as possible supply temperatures of the heating system, appropriate designing and efficient control. In 1990, the number of heat pumps installed in Austria amounted to a total of about 96000 systems. The present contribution of heat pump technology to the energy supply amounts to about 950 GWh per year (December 1990). This amount corresponds to a saved quantity of oil of about 180000 tons per year. (author)