Project Overview
This project demonstrates the application of the EXINDA R290 12kW air-to-water heat pump system in a single-family two-story residential building located in the United Kingdom.
Designed under UK and EU energy efficiency frameworks, the system replaces an existing condensing gas boiler system, transitioning the property from fossil-fuel-based heating to a fully electrified low-carbon heating solution.
The installation integrates hydronic radiator heating, domestic hot water (DHW) production, and photovoltaic (PV) energy utilization through the EXINDA E-Box 300 control module.
Project Details:
- Project Type: Retrofit / Boiler Replacement
- Building Type: Single-family two-story villa
- Location: United Kingdom
- Climate Classification: Temperate Maritime (Northern Europe)
- System Capacity: 12 kW R290 Air-to-Water Heat Pump
- Model: XDASH12C3
Key Challenge
The UK residential heating market is undergoing rapid electrification under EU-aligned decarbonization policies.
This project faced several engineering and operational challenges:
- Replacement of an existing gas boiler heating system
- Requirement for stable radiator system compatibility (35–60°C water supply)
- High seasonal heating demand during winter months
- Limited mechanical installation space in retrofit environment
- Domestic hot water stability requirements
- Compliance with UK EPC energy performance improvement targets
- Integration of renewable energy via PV system
Traditional boiler-based systems are increasingly incompatible with long-term UK and EU carbon neutrality strategies.
Engineering Solution
The solution is based on the EXINDA R290 12kW air-to-water heat pump, engineered for European residential retrofit applications.
System Configuration:
- EXINDA R290 12KW Heat Pump Unit
- Natural refrigerant R290
- DC inverter compressor system
- E-Box 300 intelligent control module
- Existing radiator hydronic loop integration
- Domestic hot water supply system
- Photovoltaic (PV) system integration
Key Technical Highlights:
- ERP A+++ energy efficiency design
- Heating capacity: 12 kW nominal output
- Operating ambient range: -25°C to 43°C
- Leaving water temperature: up to 60°C
- COP range: 4.03–5.08 (EN14511 tested conditions)
- Low-noise operation down to 38 dB(A)
- Intelligent anti-freeze and defrost control system
European Design Logic
The system is designed according to European HVAC engineering principles:
- EN 14511 performance standard validation
- EN 14825 seasonal efficiency (SCOP-based design logic)
- UK residential retrofit heating requirements
- Radiator system compatibility (35–55°C typical operation range)
- PV self-consumption optimization logic
- Frost protection strategy for sub-zero climates
- Inverter-driven part-load efficiency optimization
The design prioritizes seasonal performance stability over peak-load performance, aligning with European real-world heating demand patterns.
Key Engineering Challenges Solved
The EXINDA R290 system addresses key UK retrofit challenges:
- Enables direct boiler-to-heat pump replacement
- Ensures stable operation in radiator-based heating systems
- Maintains performance in low ambient winter conditions
- Reduces cycling losses through inverter modulation control
- Improves installation flexibility in compact utility spaces
- Enables PV-driven hybrid energy optimization
- Provides integrated heating + cooling + DHW functionality
Performance Benchmark
| Performance Metric | Traditional Gas Boiler System | EXINDA R290 12kW Heat Pump |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Source | Natural Gas | Electricity + PV Integration |
| Refrigerant | None | R290 (GWP = 3) |
| Heating Capacity | Variable | 12 kW Stable Output |
| Seasonal Efficiency | Moderate | High (EN14825 optimized) |
| COP Performance | N/A | 4.03–5.08 (EN14511) |
| Operating Temperature Range | Limited | -25°C to 43°C |
| Max Water Temperature | 70–80°C | Up to 60°C |
| Carbon Emissions | High | Significantly Lower |
| PV Integration | Not Supported | Fully Supported |
| Part-load Efficiency | Low | High (Inverter Control) |
| Noise Level | Boiler-dependent | 38–61 dB(A) |
| Maintenance Requirement | Medium | Low |
| EU Compliance Readiness | Limited | Fully Aligned |
Engineering Summary:
The EXINDA R290 heat pump demonstrates significant advantages in seasonal efficiency, carbon reduction, and system adaptability compared with traditional gas boiler systems, making it suitable for UK and broader European residential electrification projects.
EU Compliance & Regulations
The system fully complies with European and UK regulatory frameworks:
- EU Ecodesign Directive (ErP 2009/125/EC)
- EN 14511 performance testing standard
- EN 14825 seasonal efficiency methodology
- F-Gas Regulation (R290 low-GWP refrigerant compliance)
- CE certification (LVD / EMC compliance)
- UK EPC energy performance improvement standards
- National building energy regulations (UK Part L)
Installation & Retrofit Strategy
The system was deployed using a standard European boiler replacement approach:
- Direct replacement of condensing gas boiler
- Integration with existing radiator hydronic loop
- Installation of compact outdoor heat pump unit
- E-Box 300 control module system integration
- PV system connection for energy optimization
- Minimal structural modification required
Installation is optimized for fast retrofit deployment in residential buildings.
Final Performance Outcome
After system commissioning, the project achieved:
- Successful transition from gas-based heating to electric heat pump system
- Stable space heating across UK winter conditions
- Reliable domestic hot water supply throughout the year
- Significant reduction in carbon emissions
- Improved building EPC energy performance rating
- Enhanced utilization of photovoltaic energy
- Reduced exposure to fossil fuel price volatility
The system supports long-term UK and EU residential decarbonization objectives.
Application Scenarios
The EXINDA R290 12kW heat pump is suitable for:
- UK residential boiler replacement projects
- Single-family home retrofit applications
- Villa heating system electrification
- Radiator-based heating system upgrades
- PV-integrated residential energy systems
- European low-carbon renovation programs
- Cold and temperate climate heating applications
Engineering Notes
The EXINDA R290 air-to-water heat pump is engineered for European residential retrofit applications requiring stable high-efficiency operation under variable climatic conditions.
Key technical characteristics include:
- Natural refrigerant R290
- 12 kW nominal heating capacity
- SCOP-optimized seasonal performance design
- Operating range down to -25°C ambient temperature
- COP efficiency up to 5.08 under EN14511 conditions
- Intelligent defrost and anti-freeze control system
- Cascade-ready architecture for multi-unit expansion
FAQ
Q1: Is the EXINDA R290 12kW heat pump suitable for UK winters?
Yes. The system is designed to operate reliably in ambient temperatures as low as -25°C, making it suitable for UK and Northern European winter conditions.
Q2: Can it directly replace a gas boiler?
Yes. The system is specifically engineered for boiler replacement retrofit projects, integrating directly with existing hydronic radiator systems.
Q3: Does it support radiator-based heating systems?
Yes. It is fully compatible with standard radiator systems operating at 35–60°C water temperatures.
Q4: What makes R290 refrigerant important?
R290 is a natural refrigerant, significantly lower than traditional synthetic refrigerants, aligning with EU F-Gas environmental regulations.
Q5: Can it integrate with solar PV systems?
Yes. The system supports photovoltaic integration through smart control logic to maximize self-consumption and reduce grid dependency.
Q6: What is the expected energy efficiency benefit?
Compared to traditional gas boiler systems, users typically achieve significantly improved seasonal efficiency and reduced operational energy consumption due to inverter-driven COP optimization.
Contact
For technical support, project consultation, or quotation:
Email: info@exindagroup.com
