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Ecoforest heat pumps allow to cover in an integrated way all the thermal needs of current buildings, as well domestic as industrial, offering types of solutions depending on the energy source used by the equipment.

All the models in range make use of Inverter technology to obtain the best performances and thus guarantee comfort and efficiency together with a commitment to make the best use of renewable resources.

The heat pump gathers energy from various external sources like the ground, water, and air, and raises the heat from a lower to a higher temperature, even during winter at temperatures below 0°C. This is done in a sealed cycle by continuously changing the physical state of the heat transfer medium. The heat pump takes solar energy stored in natural sources — ground, water or air — and moves this heat to the heating and domestic hot water (DHW) circuits.

The efficiency of a heat pump is measured by its coefficient of performance (COP), indicating the amount of useful energy produced per unit of drive energy. A COP of 5 illustrates that 5 kW of heating output is generated from 1 kW of electricity, signifying that the additional 4 kW is graciously supplied by the sun, environment, or ground. This performance metric is acquired by dividing the thermal power delivered to the building by the electrical power consumed by the heat pump. While termed as COP when the heat pump operates in heating mode, it's referred to as Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) in cooling mode, maintaining a consistent measure of the heat pump's efficiency across different operational modes.

Ground source heat pumps top the charts in efficiency for air conditioning systems, but they do come with a few prerequisites. Firstly, they require land for geothermal boreholes. For new homes, these can be placed under the house, but renovations need outside space for the wells.

While the upfront cost of ground source is higher compared to air source systems, its superior efficiency pays off over time. Plus, ground source has a quieter operation and less visual impact, since air source systems require outdoor equipment that can be noisy and noticeable, despite recent models becoming quieter.

Climate also plays a part in choosing between these systems. In extreme climates with scorching summers and freezing winters, ground source system shines as it remains unaffected by outdoor temperature swings. On the flip side, while air source systems can operate in these extreme climates, their performance dips when it's very hot or cold, as they draw energy from the air, impacting the comfort and efficiency.

Inverter technology, distinct from conventional on/off technology, involves controlling the speed of the compressor to alter both the thermal power generated and the electrical power drawn by the heat pump. The primary objective of utilizing Inverter technology for compressor speed management is to tailor the operation of the heat pump to the thermal demand of the building at any point in time, optimizing its performance and decreasing the seasonal electrical consumption of the unit.

By adjusting the speed of the compressor, the power gap between the demand of the building and the capacity of the heat pump is reduced, as the pump can supply the exact power needed at any moment. This also facilitates more flexible installations that can aptly adjust to each setup, saving on certain installation components that would be essential with an ON/OFF heat pump. Consequently, heat pumps with Inverter technology are not only more efficient, but also allow for more compact and economical installations.

Ecoforest possesses profound experience in this technology, having developed all its products using it from the very first model, marking itself as the only manufacturer with a comprehensive range of Inverter products.