Climate-neutral renovation: heat pump LA 4060CP in historic apartment building
Sustainable heating with System C® and R290
In Altenkunstadt, Upper Franconia, a more than 100-year-old apartment building with five flats and an office unit was successfully converted to a climate-friendly heating solution. The gas central heating system installed in 2017 was replaced by a highly efficient Dimplex LA 4060CP air-to-water heat pump – a milestone in the energy-efficient renovation of existing buildings. Hot water is supplied decentrally via electric instantaneous water heaters (one per flat for the bathroom and kitchen).
Project highlights
- Location: Altenkunstadt, Bavaria
- Building: Former administration building of a shoe factory, built in 1921
- Use: Multi-family house (5 flats + 1 office unit)
- Heated area: approx. 450 m²
- Renovation: Insulation measures, new windows, radiator modernisation
- Heat source: LA 4060CP air/water heat pump with natural refrigerant R290
- Heat distribution: Radiators
- Hot water: Decentralised via electronic instantaneous water heaters
initial situation
- 500 m² residential/commercial building (former administration building of a shoe factory), built in 1921, used as an apartment building with five flats and one office unit
- Heated area: approx. 450 m²
- Renovation in 2016: replacement of several old windows (with double glazing), insulation of the top floor ceiling, thermal insulation plaster, partial renewal/enlargement of the radiators
- Previous heat supply via central heating with natural gas, flow temperature 50 °C
- Hot water is supplied decentrally via instantaneous water heaters (per flat for bathroom and kitchen)
- Calculated heating load: 47 kW
Requirement
Climate-friendly, sustainable and cost-effective heat supply for all six residential/office units
“I am delighted with my newly installed Dimplex LA 4060CP heat pump, which will enable me to heat my 500 m² apartment building in a climate-neutral and cost-effective manner in future.”
Christoph Limmer
homeowner
The solution
Efficient heating technology for existing buildings
The LA 4060CP heat pump with natural refrigerant operates at a flow temperature of 50 °C and supplies the building with energy as needed via a continuously variable inverter control. Intelligent control is provided by WPM Touch with remote access via the Dimplex Home app. A 500-litre buffer tank provides additional efficiency and comfort.
The heat pump was installed on a 40 cm high mounting frame, enabling it to be positioned close to the wall (distance: 80 cm) in compliance with the innovative safety concept developed by Dimplex.
Hot water is still provided decentrally via an electronic instantaneous water heater for each residential/office unit. The indoor unit (controller and buffer tank) was installed in a separate distribution/technical room.
The temporary solution: The existing gas condensing boiler remains active during the first heating period, as the exact heat demand of the building is not known. The system is prepared to switch from bivalent to mono-energetic operation (heat pump plus heating elements) without additional conversion work.
Technical advantages at a glance
- Max. flow temperature: 70 °C
- COP at A7/W35: up to 4.6
- Energy efficiency class: A+++
- Refrigerant: R290 (environmentally friendly)
- Sound power level: only 54 dB(A)
- Cooling function: optionally available
Control and connectivity
The LA 4060CP heat pump is intelligently controlled via WPM Touch.
The infinitely variable power control via inverter ensures a demand-oriented heat supply by efficiently adjusting the output to the actual heat demand.
Remote access and remote monitoring are possible via the Dimplex Home app.