Monobloc heat pump: A single appliance for maximum efficiency
With a Carrier monobloc heat pump, you only need to install one appliance outdoors. You do not have to lay any refrigerant pipes inside your home and benefit from an easy and safe installation. This is possible because the monobloc heat pump combines all the relevant components in one appliance. Find out how this works, what advantages it offers and when the technology is used in the following sections.
What is a monobloc heat pump?
When it comes to heat pumps, a distinction can be made between split and monobloc designs. While split systems consist of several elements, monobloc heat pumps from Carrier combine all assemblies in one device. This is usually located outside the house, where it harnesses free energy from the environment for heating. The connection to the building is established by specialist installers using heating pipes. These transport heated water into the building and cooled water out again. There are no pipes carrying refrigerant, as is usual with split heat pumps. This enables the monobloc heat pump to be installed quickly and easily.
Functionality explained easily
Carrier monobloc heat pumps do not differ technically from split appliances. Here too, a heat exchanger transfers heat from the environment to a refrigerant. This evaporates before it flows to a compressor. The component raises the pressure and temperature with the help of electrical energy. Once the required temperature level is reached, the refrigerant vapor flows to a condenser. This is a second heat exchanger where thermal energy is transferred to the heating water.
Heating water transports heat into the house via insulated pipes
While the refrigerant cools down, liquefies and regenerates at an expansion valve, the warm heating water flows into the building via insulated pipes. Once there, it supplies heating surfaces, storage tanks or the hot water system with thermal energy before the water flows back to the monobloc heat pump as a return flow.
By the way: Since this process can be reversed, it is also possible to cool with a heat pump.
Air-to-water heat pumps in monobloc design
Air, water or soil: heat pumps tap into various energy sources to supply a building with heat. Monobloc appliances are often air-to-water heat pumps. These draw in ambient air with a fan to generate heat. Alternatively, monobloc systems are also available for geothermal or water heat. However, due to the more complex design, these are used less frequently in practice.
Installation of monobloc heat pumps mostly outdoors
Air-to-water heat pumps in monobloc design are often located in front of the building. Equipped with an integrated fan, they draw in the required outside air without additional components. Alternatively, monobloc heat pumps are also available for indoor installation. However, as large air ducts and ventilation openings are required here, this type of installation is less common.
Installing Carrier heat pumps outside: This is what matters
Due to numerous advantages, Carrier offers monobloc heat pumps for outdoor installation. However, to ensure smooth and efficient operation, a few points should be taken into account during the planning phase. The following overview summarises important aspects:
- Distance to the building: The heat pump heating system should not be installed too far away from the wall of the building. This enables short pipe runs and reduces heat loss and heating costs. However, a small minimum distance should be maintained so that air can circulate around the appliance.
- Noise protection: The heater should not be installed directly in front of the neighbor's house or under bedroom or children's room windows. Also ensure that the installation is soundproofed with vibration dampers to reduce the noise of the heat pump.
- Air circulation: During operation, the heaters continuously draw in air, which they then blow out again. To ensure that this works reliably and without short circuits, free circulation is particularly important.
- Frost protection: To prevent hazards and accidents caused by slippery surfaces, the condensate must not run over driveways or paths. The same applies to the outflowing air. If it flows over paths or lanes, frost can form there.
- Weather conditions: It is important for the function of monobloc heat pumps to be protected from the wind. Too much wind can affect the circulation and cause a short circuit. This would cause the system to draw in air that has already cooled down again and run less efficiently. This would be noticeable in a significant increase in electricity consumption.
In addition to the installation location, the correct setting is also crucial for particularly efficient operation of your heat pump. You can read more about this in our guide to setting the heat pump correctly.
Benefits and downsides of monobloc heat pumps
Carrier monobloc heat pumps combine all components in one device. They are quick and easy to install in front of the house and do not require a special refrigeration certificate. This reduces installation costs and also means less mess if you want to retrofit a heat pump. This is because hardly any work is required in the building. Another advantage is the higher level of safety. As no refrigerant pipes are required in the interior, there is a much lower risk of leaks and regular leak testing in accordance with the F-Gas Regulation is no longer necessary. The following overview shows the most important advantages of monobloc heat pumps:
- Easy installation thanks to compact design
- Space-saving and low-maintenance heating technology
- No refrigeration technicians, as refrigerant is only used in the appliance
- Cost savings when purchasing and installing
- Less dirt in the building when retrofitting
- No refrigerant lines in the building
- Lower risk of leaks and greater safety
A disadvantage, however, is the need for frost protection. Long connecting pipes cause higher heat losses and the noise can be disturbing if not installed correctly.
Heat pump in monobloc or split design
Heat pumps in monobloc and split design work in the same way from a technical point of view. However, due to the special design, there are some differences that can also be relevant for the choice. The following table highlights the most important ones.
A monobloc heat pump is the right choice if you want a simple installation and have sufficient space. This technology is also recommended if you want to install the system without a refrigeration engineer. If you need greater flexibility, have less space or attach great importance to frost protection on the appliance itself, the split heat pump is a good choice.
