Results of the evaluation campaign carried out by ENEL on the performances of electric heat pumps for room climatisation in residential and tertiary sectors

ENEL is looking at the diffusion of electric technologies as a basic tool for improving efficiency in end energy uses, in conformity with the engagements taken on with public control authority as concerns rational and environment-friendly energy use. An intensive research programme was started, which consisted of in-depth technological analyses on types of apparatus available on the Italian market. The objectives of such researches comprise, among others: measurement of energy performances coefficients obtained during seasonal working, and comparison with the values measured in the laboratory in ideal conditions and with the catalogue data declared by constructors; evaluation of primary energy savings obtainable through the electric heat pump, compared with other climatisation apparatus fuelled with fossil fuels (boiler, heat pump operated by a gas engine and absorption refrigerator); and identification of the national territory areas where local climate conditions allow the utilisation of a heat pump for winter heating with no need for additional heat generators. This report expounds the whole of tests and measurements in progress separately for both of the mentioned use sectors; also whenever possible the results already available when the report was drawn up are specified.