Net Zero. Electrification. Low-carbon economies. The push for cleaner and more efficient building systems is about more than buzzwords; it’s about identifying and embracing technologies that make a genuine impact on occupant experiences and eco-footprints.
For its part, Mitsubishi Electric is championing the use of electric heat pumps, both in response to market trends and a desire to lead the way for greener homes, offices, and commercial spaces.
A few factors are driving the switch from natural gas to electric heat pumps when it comes to hydronic systems,” says Chris DesRoches, Applied Product Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc. (MESCA). “At the end of the day, however, it’s a growing effort among building stakeholders to reduce building emissions and create low carbon footprints to meet changing codes, and one of the most promising ways of doing that is through electric-powered HVAC systems.”
Canada’s carbon tax is also a driving force behind the switch. Currently, the fee is slated to hit $50/ton by 2022, but a new plan by the Liberal government aims to bump the tax to $170/ton by 2030. All told, the rising fees are motivating building stakeholders to adopt equipment like electric heat pumps or boilers in lieu of natural gas alternatives.
“Incentives will also have their part in reducing the burden of buying alternative equipment, such as electric heat pumps instead of gas boilers,” adds DesRoches.
Flicking the switch
Canada has made its Net-Zero mission clear. And with building codes changing to reflect that mission, property stakeholders are incentivized to keep pace.
“The building codes are evolving in such a way that they’re reducing the amount of carbon emissions per square foot of the building, which makes using natural gas to heat that building an increasingly difficult proposition,” says DesRoches.
A bulk of building owners and managers recognize these changes. And in response, many are pursuing cleaner and more efficient solutions for their heating and cooling needs.
For its part, MESCA is helping building stakeholders make the switch through offerings like its Climaveneta electric heat pumps which work in tandem with existing boilers and provide a source of redundancy to building operations.
“The Climaveneta NX-N product family can also be used as the sole heating and cooling solution, and depending on temperature conditions, can significantly reduce the buildings annual carbon footprint compared to a traditional chiller and boiler strategy,” DesRoches explains, noting, “From smaller light commercial applications to centralized district heating and cooling plants, the NX-N offers a wide range of configurations, capacity sizes, options, and is capable of sizing up to fulfill even the largest applications.”
As for selecting electric heat pumps over gas-fired boilers, adds DesRoches, electric heat pumps offer a higher COP value than the latter: “If the end goal is to lower natural gas usage, then the electric heat pumps are an effective and easily-embedded solution.”
Surely, for cleaner HVAC technologies to gain traction, they must be simple to implement. To that end, MESCA notes its Climaveneta heat pumps are designed for easy integration with any hydronic equipment, from any manufacturer, be it in new construction or as part of a retrofit: “They will fit in seamlessly with existing water-based distribution infrastructures and will function with an existing boiler if required, so you can make minimal changes to your HVAC system and get the maximum return – improved energy efficiency, cost savings, and occupant comfort.”
Back-up reliability
Adding an electric heat pump to an existing hydronic system has its costs. Taking a long-term view of the investment, however, shows that taking the step can pay building stakeholders back in the end.
“In the grand scheme of things, that upfront cost is worth it given the fact you’re adding a backup heat source to the building and making changes that will ultimately future-proof your building for energy resilience,” adds DesRoches.
Learn more about MESCA’s Climaveneta heat pumps at www.Climaveneta.ca. And if you are a dealer seeking a distributor, please email Chris.DesRoches@mesca.ca, Applied Product Manager
