Highly efficient air-to-water heat pumps at an altitude of 2,000 meters
System C® heats a ski resort and mountain restaurant in the Alps
System C® supplies a mountain restaurant and ski resort at an altitude of 2,000 meters
- Location: Gastein, Salzburg Region, Austria
- Completion: 2025
- Total heated area: 1,520 m²
- Calculated building heating load: 240 kW
- Application: New construction of a multifunctional building featuring a mountain restaurant, offices, workshops, storage rooms, and infrastructure for on-slope rescue
- Heat pump type: four LA 4060CP air-to-water heat pumps (System C®) in parallel configuration, intelligently and demand-responsive controlled by WPM Touch Master
- Special features: Challenging conditions due to alpine altitude (>2,000 m) in the Hohe Tauern high mountains of the Austrian Central Alps and high humidity caused by surrounding snowmaking systems
Energy-Efficient Heating in High-Altitude Mountain Regions
The construction of the new mountain station, including the mountain restaurant, at the Gasteiner Schlossalm marked the completion of an architecturally and technically challenging project in the high Alps. At an elevation of 2,000 meters above sea level, extreme weather conditions, high humidity caused by snowmaking systems, and tight construction schedules presented unique challenges for the building services.
To ensure a sustainable and reliable year-round heat supply, a Dimplex heat pump solution from the System C® series was selected. Four highly efficient LA 4060CP air-to-water heat pumps were installed in a cascade configuration and handle all of the building’s heating needs.
Flexible performance through intelligent cascade connection
The four heat pumps are connected in parallel and are controlled on-demand via the WPM Touch Master heat pump manager. This allows the heating output to adapt flexibly to current heating needs—a key advantage given the varying usage patterns of the restaurant, ski station, offices, workshops, and emergency services facilities.
Another advantage: The cascaded solution provides redundancy and high operational reliability, which is essential, especially in remote high-altitude locations.
System C® with natural refrigerant R290
The system used is the Dimplex System C®, which was developed specifically for larger residential and commercial projects. The heat pumps used operate with the natural refrigerant R290 (propane) and combine high efficiency with future-proofing and eligibility for subsidies.
Technical advantages of the LA 4060CP at a glance:
- Efficient operation down to an outdoor temperature of –22 °C
- Flow temperatures up to 70 °C
- Energy efficiency class up to A+++
- Very quiet operation (ErP sound power level 54 dB(A))
- Expandable for hot water production and cooling
- Integration with building management systems (BMS) and photovoltaic systems
Comprehensive sustainable concept incorporating solar power
The mountain station’s energy concept is firmly committed to renewable energy. A photovoltaic system with approximately 1,200 m² of panel area supplies a large portion of the electricity needed. The PV electricity generated on-site is used directly to power the heat pumps, thereby sustainably reducing operating costs.
The combination of Dimplex air-to-water heat pumps, smart controls, and a solar power system makes this project a showcase for energy-efficient building technology in the Alpine region.
Successful completion despite a short construction period
Despite a construction period of only a few months, the project was completed on schedule in time for the winter season. Dimplex supported the project from the planning and design phases through on-site coordination to the system inspection by the factory customer service team.
Conclusion: Dimplex heat pumps prove their worth in extreme locations
The Gasteiner Schlossalm reference project impressively demonstrates that Dimplex air-to-water heat pumps operate reliably, efficiently, and quietly even under extreme alpine conditions. With System C®, Dimplex offers a high-performance solution for sustainable heating in hotels, restaurants, tourism facilities, and commercial buildings—even at high-altitude locations.