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COMFORT TEMPERATURE IN WINTER
The consumption of energy in our heating system is conditioned by the temperature the heating is programmed at. Turning the temperature up one degree increases energy consumption by 7%. Although the sensation of comfort is subjective, it can be stated that a temperature between 19 and 21º is enough for most people1.
(1) Information taken from the Practical Energy Guide, published by IDAE (Institute for Diversification and Energy Savings)
COMPRESSOR (HEAT PUMP)
The compressor is at the heart of the Heat Pump. In a compressor with a Heat Pump, the temperature gets much higher than the original source temperature (the outside air, in the case of Daikin Altherma). Inside the property, a second heat exchange comes about when the compressed refrigerant enters the exchanger, a surface which is still colder than the refrigerant. Finally, the refrigerant condenses and releases heat… which heats the property.
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DAIKIN ALTHERMA
Complete climate control system, developed by Daikin, which provides heating, air conditioning in summer and hot water for domestic use throughout the year.
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ECOLOGICAL DESIGN
Thanks to their eco-design, the products are designed to include environmental aspects which will lessen their negative impact on the environment throughout their working lives. Daikin applies the principles of ecological design to all its products.
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HYDROKIT
The Hydrokit is at the heart of the Daikin Altherma System. This indoor unit heats the water which circulates through the low-temperature radiators, underfloor heating systems or fan coils in order to provide heating to your home. The hydrokit is also used to produce the thermal exchange to cool water in summer. This cold water is then distributed to the fan coils to cool the different rooms in summer.
HEAT PUMP
A Heat Pump is a system which can transfer heat from a cold point to a hot point. Heat Pumps extract the thermal energy from the atmosphere, from water (rivers, lakes, etc.) or from the land. Daikin Altherma is a heat pump which extracts energy from the outside air. The Heat Pump also needs a little electricity in order to extract the energy from the air. Daikin Altherma only requires 1 kilowatt of electricity to provide between 3 and 5 kilowatts of heat in a home
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INVERTER
Inverter is an electronic system which allows the climate control unit to self-regulate itself in accordance with demand, providing just the conditioning necessary. It therefore achieves a constant temperature with minimum consumption and optimal comfort. Daikin Altherma is fitted with Daikin's Inverter technology, which consumes between 30% and 40% less than traditional non-inverter climate control systems.
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Photovoltaic solar panels are used to produce electricity from silicon cells. Daikin Altherma cannot be combined with photovoltaic solar panels.
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RADIANT FLOOR
Underfloor heating consists of a network of pipes underneath the floor. The pipes contain hot water (at low temperature compared to other heating systems), generally produced by a boiler which may have solar backup. It has huge benefits: temperature is more uniform in the room, since it does not build up underneath the ceiling, and aesthetically it is more pleasing as there are no radiators. Moreover, by working at low temperature (45-50º C), unlike radiators (which work at an average temperature of 80º C), heat loss is reduced in the main pipes. All these factors mean the underfloor heating provides energy savings of around 10% compared to traditional heating systems.
R-410A COOLANT
Refrigerant is a special liquid which evaporates at a temperature below that of the outside air. Daikin Altherma uses a refrigerant with reduced environmental impact, namely R-410A. The refrigerant ensures high performance and is environmentally friendly. It has 40% more heat transfer capacity than R-22 and R-407C refrigerants. Daikin, loyal to its policy of technological innovation, presents its entire domestic heating range with R-41
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SANITARY HOT WATER (SHW)
Sanitary hot water is the name given to water for domestic use. Daikin Altherma stores the sanitary hot water in a tank (accumulator tank) which heats mainly through the thermal energy of the outside air. It also has an additional electrical heater installed in the hot water tank, which can provide extra heat at specific moments. Depending on the daily consumption of hot water, the Daikin Altherma tanks come in three different sizes.
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THERMAL SOLAR PANEL
Thermal solar panels are used to heat water, normally for domestic use. These solar panels can be seen mostly on the roofs of houses and buildings. Through a closed circuit, they heat water which is stored in a tank for domestic use. The installation of these solar panels has been compulsory in Spain in all new buildings since October 2006. Daikin Altherma is compatible with thermal solar panels.