Frigesco, the pioneers of refrigeration flash defrost technology, has won funding from DECC to use the system on air source heat pumps. |
The six-figure sum came from the 'Energy Entrepreneurs’ Fund' to fund joint research between Frigesco and Glen Dimplex, the heat pump manufacturers. The technology will help to flash defrost air source heat pumps.
Coils on ASHPs operating in cool conditions (below 7C) in humid climates quickly ice up, and need to be regularly defrosted to maintain performance and reduce energy use. Existing approaches consume extra power, which can account for a significant component total energy use, reducing their efficiency," said David Walter, managing director of Frigesco.
“Frigesco’s system saves all the electrical power normally used for defrost, so applying it to ASHPs should deliver a significant increase in energy efficiency and an associated reduction in grid carbon dioxide emissions. It is a very exciting further application for flash defrost, and we believe it has great potential.”
Frigesco received DECC funding (£145,000) in 2012 and 2013 to develop the technology for use in supermarket refrigeration.
The air source heat pump trial begins in January 2015 and will last for a year.