Daikin Applied has announced the addition of air source heat pumps to its award-winning Rebel and Rebel Applied range of single-unit rooftop systems.
With electricity-powered heat pumps, low-GWP R-32 refrigerant and ultra-efficient inverter compressors, the new Rebel Applied and Rebel units will help building owners optimize comfort and costs while decarbonizing their facilities.
The units also include features that increase performance, especially in cold climates, and simplify installation for new construction and renovations.
Jim Macosko, vice president of product solutions and sustainability at Daikin Applied, said the company is not just making heat pumps available, but also making them practical for a wide range of applications.
“Buildings account for 40% of global energy consumption and 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, which is why they are essential to mitigating climate change,” Macosko said.
“By addressing the historical limitations of heat pumps, we are making it easier for customers to use this technology, electrify their HVAC systems and decarbonize in a way that benefits the environment and the bottom line.”
Heat pumps face a capacity problem: the colder the temperature, the less efficient a heat pump is. However, thanks to inverter compressors and R-32’s unique operating envelope, Rebel Applied and Rebel rooftop units are efficient at lower ambient temperatures.
With Rebel Applied, this is possible thanks to an additional outdoor coil surface and an additional compressor that kicks in when temperatures drop. In Rebel, the compressors have a boost function that increases speed in cold conditions to increase heating capacity.
Similarly, when used in a dedicated outdoor air system, the performance of conventional heat pumps drops significantly when the ambient air temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
To address this limitation, the new Rebel Applied units feature optional features such as energy recovery wheels to preheat the air before it passes through the heating coil, once again increasing the capacity of the heat pump.
Switching from natural gas to electricity as an energy source isn’t just about the equipment; it often also requires changes to a building’s electrical infrastructure, which can increase installation costs, especially in retrofit applications.
Daikin makes the transition easier and more cost-effective.
By using configurable circuits and isolating new loads on smaller, separate circuits, Rebel Applied and Rebel heat pumps eliminate or minimize electrical infrastructure modifications, reducing installation time and associated expenses.
Additionally, rooftop systems offer auxiliary electric heat limits and backup controls that reduce the unit’s peak electrical load.
Designed with R-32, the rooftop units are up to 20% more efficient than their predecessors with R-410A refrigerant.
These new solutions are ideal for schools and commercial office spaces where there are common needs for comfort and space conditioning.