Thermal plant, heat pump and COP: a deep dive

Simplex Hydronic Technology is a reference point for anyone who wants to build or renovate their thermal plant in a smart, efficient and advanced way.

We offer complete technical consultancy, from design to build of the thermal plant, to support the customer all the way: from replacing traditional gas boilers to building fully electric systems, possibly integrated with solar PV.

Our services include dedicated technical surveys, the proposal of the optimal solution in terms of performance and consumption, the design of thermal plants for radiators or underfloor, wall and ceiling radiant systems, and constant support even after installation. Moving to a “no gas” home is possible today, and easier than you think with an expert partner.

In the thermal plant, the heat pump transfers heat from an external source, such as air or ground, into the home, using electricity to move existing heat. The principle is based on a four-stage thermodynamic cycle.

In the first stage the exchanger absorbs heat energy from the outside, even at low temperatures. A compressor then raises the refrigerant's temperature; the heat passes through a condenser and is released into the heating system; finally an expansion valve reduces the refrigerant's pressure, starting a new cycle and ensuring continuous heat flow.

The refrigerant is the system's vital fluid: it circulates through the heat pump carrying heat from outside to inside, kept at low temperature through a compression and expansion cycle. The heat pumps offered use R290 refrigerant, a natural gas with low environmental impact, for high performance.

The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is key to understanding efficiency: it measures the ratio between heat energy produced and electricity consumed. A high COP means a more efficient system. The heat pumps offered have a COP between 3 and 4: for every unit of electricity drawn they produce up to 4 times the energy to heat the home.