Combining a heat pump with radiators? Yes, that's possible.
- Flow temperature: < 55 °C
- Distributor surface: the larger the better
The flow temperature is the temperature of the heating water at the point at which it leaves the heat pump. From there it flows into the heating circuit to supply for example radiators. The lower the flow temperature, the less electricity you need to supply to your heat pump and the more efficient the entire process is. For heat pumps one aims for a maximum of 55 °C.
Modernise with a heat pump in an old building
Heat pumps and radiators – how does that fit?
Our heat pumps are an eco-friendly and efficient investment for your home. And yes, mostly heat pumps are rather combined with underfloor heating. They are an efficient dream team. However, retrofitting underfloor heating is an expensive business.
So in many homes the question arises: Can you combine a heat pump with radiators instead? One thing we can say in advance: in a lot of cases it’s very well possible.
A heat pump with radiators can work efficiently even in unrenovated, old homes. But whether it’s a good idea depends on the energy consumption of it, influenced by these two aspects:
Are your radiators ready for a heat pump? Check it in four steps.
If your radiators require higher flow temperatures, they might not work efficiently with a heat pump. You can test if your existing radiators are suitable by following these four steps below:
- 1/4
This is important because these cold days are representative of the heating period and needed for the test to work.
- 2/4
Set the thermostats on the radiators you want to test to the maximum.
- 3/4
Use the heat curve to reduce the flow temperature on the display of your heating system until your desired room temperature is just maintained.
Not sure how? Let your nearest Vaillant service partner or our customer service support you.
- 4/4
If your flow temperature is now 55 °C or less, you can operate a heat pump with your current radiators – and so efficiently that it also makes economic sense.
High temperature heat pump options
Your radiators passed the check? Great, let's find your ideal heat pump.
In general, you want to modernise with a high temperature heat pump. As the name suggests they can achieve higher flow temperatures and are suitable for combination with radiators.
Both our ground-source and water-source heat pumpsare especially a good choice for radiators as they draw more energy from the environment. But also our new generation of air-source heat pumps work efficiently with flow temperatures of up to 55°C.
Made for modernisation: our perfect fit for radiators.
- Control
Alternatives to heat pumps and radiators
Your radiators aren’t ready for a heat pump? Here are your options.
- Low temperature radiators
- Panel radiators
Low-temperature radiators are especially designed for low flow temperatures. They have a large heating surface, making them the ideal fit for a heat pump.
Increasing performance
How to get even more out of your system.
- Insulation
Heat that stays in the house is heat that you don't have to generate. Improving insulation is a great way to increase efficiency. For example upgrading insulation on the highest floor as well as new windows and doors are cost-effective measures. Alternatively, full-on wall insulation provides even greater results, but it is a cost and time intensive measure.
- Hybrid heating
In this system your heat pump is paired with a gas or oil boiler. This means you can potentially work with your existing system. Your heat pump will run as much as possible until the outside temperature drops below a certain point. Then it will switch off and the alternative system will take over – they can run at the same time.
- Hydraulic balancing
This measure ensures that the right amount of water can flow through all of your radiators. Meaning all radiators get exactly the amount of heat they need. And in the end, the average flow temperature can be reduced, which improves the efficiency of your system and means your heat pump consumes less electricity. Hydraulic balancing should always be carried out by a specialist. Our experts will be happy to advise you.
