Nick Johns-Wickberg
The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) has launched an expanded and updated version of its free online Heat Pump Estimator to give manufacturers and building managers powerful information to support the transition from fossil gas heating to electric heat pumps.
The tool is designed to help users work out whether a heat pump is suitable, providing estimates on energy performance and demand, emissions, spatial considerations, capital and operating costs, and applicable white certificates. It also outlines what size (thermal capacity) could be considered to support the heat pump operation and enable load-flexing.
According to A2EP, the Heat Pump Estimator can provide valuable information for a range of commercial and industrial applications, including food and beverage manufacturers, aquatic centres, hotels, hospitals and office buildings, amongst others.
Using the tool
A2EP says it takes just 10 minutes and some basic site and heat use information to generate an estimate, which can help initiate discussions internally and with suppliers and/or consultants.
“This tool will be vital for overcoming the common misconception that heat pumps should have the same capacity as the boilers they are replacing,” A2EP CEO Jarrod Leak says.
“Too often heat pump projects are delayed or abandoned because of this like-for-like thinking that prevails across our industry and presents heat pumps as uncompetitive on capital costs.
“Highly efficient electric heat pumps can provide heat at a range of temperatures suitable for industrial and commercial applications. They can help businesses to transition from gas and reduce ongoing energy costs.
“Heat pumps are a key technology for decarbonising the Australian economy and we are proud that this tool will help achieve net zero targets and help businesses to reduce energy expenditure.”
The new version of the Heat Pump Estimator was developed with support from the NSW Government and from RACE for 2030.
Access the tool
You can access the Heat Pump Estimator for free online.
A range of other heat pump tools, guides and case studies are available via the A2EP website.
These resources include:
- A heat pump refrigerant guide
- A how-to guide for retrofitting commercial buildings with heat pumps
- A measurement and verification guide for heat pump projects for certificate creation
- Heat pump case studies for a range of applications
- Heat pump webinar recordings.
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