Enter the AI-powered propane heat pump
7th November 2024
UK: A new manufacturer has entered the heat pump market with a propane air-source unit powered by artificial intelligence to create “significant” energy savings.
Manchester-based company Wondrwall says that its new heat pump uses its AI-powered home energy management system (HEMS). The HEMS learns the thermal performance of the home, typical energy use and user preferences in order to adapt flow temperatures and heating schedules based on occupancy and user behaviours.
Trials undertaken by Wondrwall, in collaboration with the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, found that in an average new build home using the Wondrwall solution to control the heat pump reduced energy bills by 87% when compared to the same home with just the heat pump alone.
Wondrwall claims the product is game-changing and will leverage huge carbon savings for end users. It can provide hot water at up to 75ºC and can operate effectively in temperatures as low as -25ºC.
Available for both heating and cooling, it is available in two models with heating capacities of 2.92kW to 9.1kW and 4.1kW to 12.1kW at 7°C/6°C (db/wb), water inlet/outlet: 30°C/35°C. COPs are up to 4.96.
Funding
In 2022, Wondrwall received over £452,000 under the UK government’s Heat Pump Ready programme in a project with partner Daikin to overcome the key technical barriers to integration and energy performance optimisation of heat pumps, and to reduce running costs.
Although the company worked with Daikin on that project, the new heat pump is of Wondrwall’s own design. “We have worked with Daikin to integrate their heat pump with our platform and that works fine,” a company spokesperson told the Cooling Post.
“But as we did this, we realised there were limitations to what we could do so we made the decision to design our own heat pump as with a deeper. tighter integration to our home automation and energy management platform, to deliver greater performance and cost savings.”
Wondrwall is opening up its HEMS API to other heat pump manufacturers enabling industry-wide collaboration to support the rollout of low carbon heating solutions in new build homes at scale.
“Our new intelligent heat pump system has the potential to be a real game-changer for the industry,” claims Wondrwall founder and CEO Daniel Burton. “By launching our first heat pump, we are working to ensure our HEMS solution is aligned with prevailing industry standards.
“Not only are we launching a best-in-class new heat pump that generates impressive energy efficiencies, but we are setting a benchmark for collaboration with manufacturers in order to have a truly transformative effect on the UK’s new build homes.
“We want to see Wondrwall’s amazing AI technology bring about major carbon savings and will develop the products the industry needs to see that happen.”
Wondrwall is currently being trialled with many of the UK’s biggest national housebuilders including Redrow, Taylor Wimpey, CALA, Bellway and Vistry.
Net zero
The company maintains that, dependent on building fabric, homes with Wondrwall’s heat pump and HEMS solution will achieve a net zero rating with zero carbon emissions.
The launch of the heat pump follows hot on the heels of Wondrwall’s Energy Services Contract (ESC) product, allowing housebuilders and homeowners to eliminate the ‘green premium’ and install solar PV, battery storage and EV charging points with no upfront cost.
“On its own this heat pump has multiple benefits for homeowners and housebuilders. From its quiet operation [sound pressure levels are down to 43db(A)] to its adaptive start/stop technology, we expect it to be a hit with those looking to achieve cost savings and energy efficiencies that exceed current Future Homes Standard performance,” said Wondrwall’s chief product officer Mark Lufkin.
“The results from the DESNZ trial were very promising, reducing energy bills by 80% compared to homes with just a standard heat pump. We felt we could do better though with closer integration of the heat pump and the rest of the Wondrwall solution.
“With the launch of this new heat pump we aim to demonstrate the art of the possible when it comes to heat pump energy efficiency. However, opening up our API to other manufacturers will mean that all heat pump manufacturers will also be able to benefit from the AI-powered savings Wondrwall’s HEMS can offer.
“This is a first for us, and the industry, and we are very encouraged by the interest generated so far.”
