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Optimal defrost initiation for air-source heat pumps: Evaluating the improvement potential of common defrosting controllers

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  • Klingebiel, Jonas
  • Höges, Christoph
  • Göbel, Stephan
  • Bannmüller, Paul
  • Boelsen, Thies
  • Venzik, Valerius
  • Vering, Christian
  • Müller, Dirk

Abstract

The timing of defrost initiation for air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) significantly impacts operational efficiency, especially in cold climates. While literature studies demonstrate the existence of optimal defrost initiation time (topt), there is limited knowledge how operational parameters (e.g., air temperature, air relative humidity and heating capacity) influence topt. Additionally, the performance gap between conventional defrosting controllers and the theoretical optimal defrost strategy remains uncertain, leaving the improvement potential for further refinements of defrost controllers unknown.

Suggested Citation

  • Klingebiel, Jonas & Höges, Christoph & Göbel, Stephan & Bannmüller, Paul & Boelsen, Thies & Venzik, Valerius & Vering, Christian & Müller, Dirk, 2025. "Optimal defrost initiation for air-source heat pumps: Evaluating the improvement potential of common defrosting controllers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:324:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225015130
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135871
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Wang, Wei & Zhang, Shiqiang & Li, Zhaoyang & Sun, Yuying & Deng, Shiming & Wu, Xu, 2020. "Determination of the optimal defrosting initiating time point for an ASHP unit based on the minimum loss coefficient in the nominal output heating energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
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