Guest Bio
Jeffrey Staub is the director of OEM sales at Danfoss Climate Solutions. He has nearly 30 years of experience in engineering and HVAC applications.
Episode Summary
Host Vic Marinich is joined by Jeffrey Staub, director of OEM sales and Danfoss Climate Solutions, to discuss the electrification of boiler systems in commercial and industrial heating.
Main Points
- A boiler generates steam or hot water in order to create heat. That process involves the burning of fossil fuels like natural gas. (1:50)
- Many commercial buildings have two separate loops in their HVAC system – a chilled water loop for cooling and a boiler loop for heating. A single reversible system with a heat pump can save energy and operating costs, but it depends on the location and function of the building. (5:00)
- Replacing boiler systems with electric heat sources will be challenging in industries such as food processing, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, where large amounts of hot water are required. (10:00)
- Alternatives to a reversible system include a dedicated heat pump that is designed for higher temperatures, using specific refrigerants and scroll compressors with liquid or vapor injection. (13:30)
- It is challenging to retrofit a boiler system. Contractors need to consider how the exhaust fans and condensing units will be placed and connected in order to deliver hot water into the system. (24:20)
- One of the drivers in the transition to commercial and industrial heat pumps is the potential for energy recovery. A heat pump system makes it possible to reuse heat that is rejected to the outside, reducing energy consumption and expenses. Supermarkets and data centers are two types of buildings where the use of energy recovery is increasing. (25:40)
- While implementing more energy efficient heating systems is expensive at the outset, building owners and consumers are starting to look at the lifetime cost and ROI. (30:50)
Links
Department of Energy guidance on electrification of boilers in commercial buildings: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/large-commercial-building-boiler-electrification-guide
Listen to our recent podcast on the potential of cold climate heat pumps to help northern regions reach electrification: https://envisioneering-exchange.captivate.fm/episode/ep-68-the-transition-to-cold-climate-heat-pumps
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For more information and additional episodes of the EnVisioneering Exchange podcast, visit https://www.danfoss.com/en-us/about-danfoss/insights-for-tomorrow/envisioneering-exchange/