Climate-friendly heat pump solution for the Kulmbach District Office
Three Dimplex air-to-water heat pumps replace the gas heating system in a 1960s office building
Background: Heating system retrofit in public buildings
The Kulmbach District Office in Bavaria is an administrative building dating from the 1960s that has undergone several energy-efficiency upgrades over the years—including facade renovation, new windows, and the installation of a photovoltaic system. Until now, heat has been supplied by a central gas heating system with heat distributed via traditional radiators. The central heating system is located in the basement.
The goal of the project was to replace the existing gas-fired central heating system with a sustainable, climate-friendly heat pump system without making major changes to the existing heating distribution system.
Requirements
- Reduction of CO₂ emissions and fossil fuels
- Reliable heat supply for a large administrative building
- Use of renewable energy sources, particularly solar power
- Integration into the existing building management system (BMS)
- Eligible for funding
- Short planning and implementation time
Solution: System C® with three Dimplex air-to-water heat pumps
Dimplex installed three LA 4060CP air-to-water heat pumps in parallel as part of its proven System C®. The highly efficient propane heat pumps (R290) were installed in an open area directly in front of the administration building.
The heat pumps operate in monovalent mode to meet the majority of the heating demand. For rare peak loads, the existing gas heating system remains in place as a bivalent backup and switches on automatically when needed.
Technical specifications of the LA 4060CP heat pump used
- Heating capacity up to 40.2 kW (A7/W35)
- Energy efficiency class: A+++ (NT)
- Refrigerant: R290 (propane)
- ErP sound power level: 54 dB(A)
- Suitable for retrofits with radiators
Efficient, smart, and scalable
- Supplying the existing building with flow temperatures up to 70°C
- Reuse of existing radiators
- Intelligent control via the Dimplex Heat Pump Manager
- Full integration into the building management system
- Modular system, expandable at any time
- Installation of the heat pumps in an open area directly in front of the office building
- Lower operating costs through the use of self-generated PV electricity
- Bivalent solution: Gas heating serves as a backup for peak loads and switches on as needed
Quick implementation thanks to Dimplex's project expertise
Dimplex handled all planning and project design. Only nine months elapsed between the bidding phase and commissioning—a key advantage for public sector clients with tight schedules. The project was complemented by on-site coordination and a system inspection conducted by Dimplex’s factory customer service team.
Result: Sustainable heat supply in public buildings
With its new heat pump system, the Kulmbach District Office is sending a strong signal in support of climate-friendly heating technology in the public sector. The project impressively demonstrates that modern air-to-water heat pumps from Dimplex can be used efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively even in existing buildings dating back to the 1960s.