Performance comparison between a single-stage and a cascade multi-functional heat pump for both air heating and hot water supply.
Multi heat pumps have been widely used in buildings due to their higher energy efficiency. Recently, demands for multi-functional heat pumps, which can provide heating, cooling, and water heating in a building, have been increased. In this study, a cascade multi-functional heat pump, combining a multi heat pump using R410A for air heating with a water heating unit using R134a for hot water supply, was investigated experimentally. The performance of the cascade multi-functional heat pump was measured by varying the refrigerant charge amount, EEV opening, water flow rate, and water inlet temperature. Test results were compared with those of a single-stage multi-functional heat pump using R410A for air and water heating. The cascade multi-functional heat pump adopting the water heating unit showed more stable air and water heating operations and higher water outlet temperatures than the single-stage multi-functional heat pump.