Fans for heat pumps
Efficient and quiet fans for heat pumps - for optimum performance and low-noise operation. Find out more now!
A fan must be efficient, quiet and durable. Modern models rely on energy-efficient EC motors, an aerodynamic design and special noise optimizations for quiet operation. The right choice of fan type – axial or centrifugal fan – determines the performance of a heat pump.
High efficiency and energy efficiency
– The fan should have a high aerodynamic efficiency in order to minimize the energy consumption of the heat pump.
– EC motors (electronically commutated motors) are more energy-efficient than AC motors and offer more precise control.
Optimized air flow rate
– The fan must guide the air flow optimally in order to ensure constant heat exchange at the evaporator or condenser of the heat pump.
– A sufficient volume flow rate (m³/h) is crucial in order to move enough air for heat exchange.
Low noise emission (quiet operation)
– Specially shaped fan blades (e.g. with blade curvature) can minimize turbulence and thus noise.
– Balanced, low-vibration operation ensures low noise levels, which is particularly important for heat pumps in residential areas.
Resistance to environmental influences
– The fan must be weatherproof, especially against moisture, frost and UV radiation.
– Corrosion-resistant materials such as coated aluminum or stainless steel increase the service life.
Speed control and controllability
– Variable speed control enables the heat pump to flexibly adapt the air volume to the operating conditions (e.g. at different outside temperatures).
– Intelligent controls (e.g. using a frequency converter) help to adapt the fan to the heat pump output.
Flow-optimized design
– Axial fans are often used for air-to-water heat pumps as they can move large volumes of air with a moderate pressure difference.
– Centrifugal fans are more suitable for air-air systems or special applications with higher pressure requirements.
Long service life and ease of maintenance
– Robust bearings (e.g. ball-bearing motors) ensure a long service life with minimal maintenance.
Compact design for easy integration
– The fan should be able to be integrated into the heat pump housing to save space so as not to unnecessarily increase the overall size of the system.
- High efficiency & low power consumption
- Optimum air flow rate for efficient heat exchange
- Low-noise operation for residential areas
- Weatherproof & durable
- Variable speed control for flexible performance
How a heat pump works
A heat pump works on the principle of heat transfer and uses environmental heat from the air, ground or groundwater to heat or cool buildings. Its operation is based on a closed refrigeration cycle, which is divided into four main phases: evaporation, compression, condensation and expansion.
First, environmental heat is absorbed by a heat exchanger, causing a special refrigerant to evaporate. This refrigerant has a very low boiling point, so that even low temperatures are sufficient to convert it into a gaseous state. The gaseous refrigerant is then highly compressed by a compressor, which increases the pressure and therefore also the temperature of the gas.
The refrigerant, which is now hot and under high pressure, then passes into a second heat exchanger, the condenser. Here it releases the absorbed heat to the heating system, for example to underfloor heating or radiators. As the heat is released, the refrigerant cools down again and condenses back into a liquid state.
Finally, the refrigerant passes through an expansion valve, which reduces the pressure, causing the temperature to drop further. The cycle then starts again: the refrigerant absorbs heat from the environment again and evaporates.
There are different types of heat pumps depending on the heat source. Air-to-water heat pumps use the ambient air, ground source heat pumps draw energy from the ground and water-to-water heat pumps extract heat from the groundwater. As a heat pump supplies more thermal energy than it requires in terms of electrical energy, it works very efficiently and sustainably, especially in conjunction with renewable energies such as photovoltaics.
Perfect fans for heat pumps
A high-quality fan for heat pumps is characterized by several specific features that ensure efficient and quiet operation. The models developed by ebm-papst, such as the AxiEco Plug-In and the AxiTone, are specially designed for use in heat pumps and offer the following advantages:
High energy efficiency: The aerodynamically optimized design of the rotor blades and the use of modern EC motors (electronically commutated motors) minimize energy consumption. This leads to an improved overall performance of the heat pump.
Low noise level: The fans are designed to maintain a constant and low noise level over a wide operating range. This is particularly important for use in residential areas to avoid noise nuisance.
Robustness against environmental influences: The use of high-quality materials and a well thought-out design make the fans resistant to external influences such as moisture, frost and UV radiation. This ensures a long service life, even in demanding weather conditions.
Compact design: The fans are designed to save space, which facilitates integration into various heat pump systems while maximizing the efficiency of the air flow.
In addition, ebm-papst attaches great importance to the psychoacoustic optimization of its fans. Extensive tests in our own psychoacoustics laboratory ensure that the noise of the fans is perceived as pleasant and unobtrusive. This contributes significantly to living comfort and reduces potential disturbance factors for residents.
All in all, ebm-papst fans for heat pumps offer a combination of efficiency, durability and low-noise operation that meets the high demands of modern heating technology.
