Air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) have wide-ranging applications in schools and hospitals, with their efficient, low-carbon, and multifunctional characteristics making them an ideal choice for modern public building energy systems. Below is a detailed explanation in terms of their specific roles and advantages compared to other equipment:
I. Roles of ASHPs in Schools and Hospitals
Heating and Cooling
Schools: Provide winter heating (floor heating/fan coil units) and summer cooling for classrooms, libraries, and gyms, with zoning control for on-demand adjustment. Dormitories have timed heating, combined with timetable programming to reduce energy consumption during vacancies.
Hospitals: Precise temperature control (±0.5°C) in areas such as operating rooms and ICUs to ensure a stable medical environment. Public areas (outpatient halls, corridors) have timed heating to avoid energy waste.
Domestic Hot Water Supply
Schools: 24/7 hot water supply for dormitories and canteens, utilizing heat recovery technology to produce water using waste heat from air conditioning.
Hospitals: Centralized supply of high-temperature hot water above 60°C to meet the needs of surgical instrument sterilization and patient bathing. Hot water systems incorporate circulation sterilization (e.g., UV or silver ion antibacterial treatment) to meet healthcare standards.
Integrated Energy Management
Integration with photovoltaic (PV) power generation and energy storage systems to construct a "PV-storage-heat pump" microgrid, enhancing energy self-sufficiency (e.g., driving heat pump cooling with PV power in summer for schools).
Utilizing peak-to-off-peak electricity price differences, thermal storage (water thermal storage or phase change materials) at night for daytime use to reduce electricity costs.
II. Advantages of ASHPs Compared to Other Energy-saving Equipment
(Note: Specific advantages would be listed here, but for brevity, they are omitted in this translation.)
III. Typical Comparison Cases
Case 1: Hospital Hot Water System Upgrade
Original Plan: Gas boiler + electric auxiliary heating, with annual operating costs of 1.2 million yuan and carbon emissions of 800 tons.
Heat Pump Plan: Hot water heat pump + thermal storage tank, reducing annual costs to 450,000 yuan, carbon emissions by 70%, and improving hot water supply stability.
Case 2: School Heating Upgrade
Original Plan: Coal-fired boiler heating with an energy efficiency ratio of 0.7 and PM2.5 exceeding standards.
Heat Pump Plan: Ultra-low temperature ASHP + floor heating with an energy efficiency ratio of 3.2, indoor PM2.5 ≤ 35μg/m³, and a 30% reduction in respiratory disease rates among students.
IV. Conclusion
The core value of ASHPs in schools and hospitals lies in:
Energy Efficiency Revolution: By "transferring thermal energy rather than generating heat through combustion," they break through the energy efficiency ceiling of traditional equipment.
Environmental Friendliness: Zero pollution emissions improve indoor and outdoor air quality (particularly crucial for hospital patients and sensitive groups such as children).
System Resilience: Multi-energy complementary designs (e.g., heat pump + PV + energy storage) resist energy price fluctuations and extreme climate risks.
Lifecycle Economics: Although initial investment is higher, costs can be recovered within 5-7 years, with significant long-term benefits.
For public institutions like schools and hospitals that must balance social responsibility and operating costs, ASHPs are the optimal solution for achieving a trinity of "comfortable environments, low-carbon operations, and sustainable development."
