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The annual heat consumption in [kWh/a] is the amount of energy that the heating system must provide for the total number of rooms to be heated in a building per year.

In detail, the heat consumption is the sum of the transmission heat consumption (the heat which is lost through external walls, windows and ceiling) and the ventilation heat consumption (the heat which is lost through active and passive ventilation). Internal heat recovery (e.g. body heat, device heat) and passive solar heat recovery (e.g. radiation through a south window) are deducted from this.

In Germany, the Federal Energy Efficiency Ordinance determines the procedure for calculating the annual heat consumption.

The DIN EN 12831/supplementary sheet 1 is the German national appendix to DIN EN 12831 and contains the national entry data and parameters for calculating the heating load.

Heating load (space heating):

In the context of space heating, the term heating load is best understood as the determined consumption requirements for heating rooms, etc. according to DIN EN12831.

Heat consumption (hot water):

Within the context of domestic hot water preparation for showering, bathing, etc., the term heat consumption refers to the energy needs or output required to heat up a certain amount of drinking water.

A heat pump heating system consists of the heat pump system and the heating system.

The heat pump manager enables regulation of the heat pump heating system so that the desired temperatures for heating and domestic hot water can be achieved at the lowest possible operating costs.
The heat pump manager is equipped with a large, back-lit LC display, modem connection (extra accessory) for remote diagnostics and visualisation of heat pump parameters, time-controlled lowering and raising of the heating characteristic curve, and time functions for DHW preparation according to need using the heat pump (with optional targeted reheating using a flange heater). Convenient input menus with integrated diagnostics make for easy setting and operating.

Annual operating costs for heat pump heating systems are influenced by the heat pump and heat source as well as by the type of heating system connected. To best match up these three components, both project planning and dimensioning (according to the project planning and installation manual) as well as start-up of the heat pump heating system should be carried out by a trained customer service technician.

The objective of start-up is to adjust the control of the heat pump heating system so that the temperatures desired by the operator for heating and hot water can be achieved at the lowest possible operating costs. This is achieved by having the operator of the system work together closely with customer service to configure the heat pump manager according to need.

A heat pump system consists of the heat pump and the heat source system. Heat source systems for brine-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps must be separately tapped. In the case of air-to-water heat pumps for outdoor installation, however, the complete heat source system is integrated in the device. Tapping air as the heat source requires no additional costs.

This describes the system that extracts heat from a heat source and conveys the heat transfer medium between the heat source and the cold side of the heat pump including all auxiliary equipment. In the case of air-to-water heat pumps, the complete heat source system is integrated in the device.

Utility companies offer the so-called heating current – this means cost-effective special tariffs for electrical space heating and DHW supply systems, e.g. for storage, direct and heat pump heating systems, ventilation and air conditioning systems as well as systems for DHW supply.

The heating system has a significant influence on the efficiency of the heat pump heating system and should function at the lowest possible flow temperatures. It consists of the system used for conveying the heat transfer medium from the warm side of the heat pump to the heat consumers. For example, in a detached house the heating system consists of the piping for heat distribution, the underfloor heating system and/or the radiators and includes all auxiliary equipment as well.