Life cycle energy cost analysis of heat pump application for hotel swimming pools

Joseph C. Lam, Wai Hung Chan

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

61 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper presents the work on evaluating the thermal performance and life cycle energy cost of using heat pumps for hotel swimming pools in subtropical climates. A roof top pool in a city hotel was investigated. The energy requirement for maintaining the pool water temperature was analysed in terms of the energy loss through four major processes, namely evaporation, radiation, convection and water refill. The governing equations for these four heat loss processes were developed based on a review of the literature. It was found that substantial energy savings could be achieved. Compared with conventional electric boilers and condensing/non-condensing gas fired boilers, the total energy savings during a 6 1/2 month (mid-October to April) heating season ranged from 39.9 to 46.3 MW h. A life cycle of 10 years was used to calculate the net present value of the energy cost. Over a 10 year life cycle, the energy cost could be reduced by HK$ 275,700 if a heat pump (with a mean seasonal coefficient of performance of 3.5) were used instead of a conventional electric boiler or condensing boiler.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1299-1306
Number of pages8
JournalEnergy Conversion and Management
Volume42
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2001

Keywords

  • Energy balance
  • Heat pump
  • Hotel swimming pool
  • Life cycle energy analysis
  • Subtropical climates

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering
  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Life cycle energy cost analysis of heat pump application for hotel swimming pools'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this