Air source heat pump exhaust

Air source heat pump exhaust

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Discussion

b14

Original Poster:

1,195 posts

200 months

Yesterday (20:06)
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We've just had an ASHP installed to heat our pool - first world problem incoming.

The ASHP is installed around the side of the pool shed and exhausts into an area that has pretty good airflow in from the top and sides of the pump, but the exhaust itself (which is v cold) pushes out into a wooded, bushy area which to an extent blocks or rebounds the exhausted, colder air, so it does feel noticeably colder around the ASHP, which I'm sure affects efficiency. Based on the reading from the ASHP it is receiving air which is roughly 3 degrees colder than ambient.

My question is whether anyone has ever seen any kind of exhaust trunking or similar applied to an ASHP to direct the exhaust a little further away from the unit? Essentially what I'm envisaging is a tube roughly attached to the exhaust of the ASHP, maybe 10 feet long, that channels the exhaust through the bushes and away from the unit itself. I've tried some googling but nothing obvious comes up. Is this stupid / not worth it?

PS I miss my gas boiler which was a beast at heating the pool but pretty sketchy in terms of safety.

miniman

27,435 posts

274 months

Yesterday (20:09)
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paralla

4,399 posts

147 months

Yesterday (20:13)
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You need to be careful about restricting the air flow through the unit. These deflectors are reasonably common in Australia where heat pumps are generally used for cooling rather than heating so they encourage the hot air to rise rather than hang about reducing efficiency by being sucked back in.

https://www.ozaironline.com.au/products/air-divert...

Cheib

24,209 posts

187 months

Yesterday (21:44)
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The installation manual should say what the guidelines are for clearance etc ?

Sounds like whatever is interfering with the exhaust it must be pretty close to have the impact you say ?

Our heat pump is the standard air gets sucked in the back and pushed out the front. With ours I think the obstruction would have to be very close and pretty solid to impact the temperature of the air that gets drawn in to the unit

b14

Original Poster:

1,195 posts

200 months

Yesterday (21:51)
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The rubbish chute isn't actually a terrible idea....

I'll take a photo in the light tomorrow. It's got pretty good airflow for the exhaust so perhaps I'm being precious but with a barry-sized exhaust pipe I suspect I can direct the flow even better. The exhaust is bloody freezing and definitely there is some exhaust flow making its way back into the inlet.

POIDH

1,475 posts

77 months

Yesterday (22:10)
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Can you build some slats which redirect the exhaust away? Could be better to have modest flow losses balanced against colder ambient?

It's surprised me that many heat pumps are put in the shade...

IANAHPE

119

10,527 posts

48 months

I’m probably stupid but I thought heat pumps sucked air in the front to draw out any heat in the air?

skeeterm5

4,135 posts

200 months

119 said:
I’m probably stupid but I thought heat pumps sucked air in the front to draw out any heat in the air?
Ours used to draw air in at the back and blow it out of the front, the air being blown out was noticeably cold.