Pairing air source heat pumps with energy recovery extends the operating range of the unit, which is especially important when bringing in high amounts of outdoor air in colder climates. In order to ensure the compressor is able to start and operate within the operating envelope, the air approaching the coil must be at, or above, 30 °F. An energy recovery device can mix warm exhaust air with cool/cold incoming outdoor air to temper the air as it approaches the indoor coil, extending unit operation and reducing energy costs. 

Many energy recovery technologies exist and choosing the right technology for the right application is generally a function of what the primary driver is for the building. If there is no on-site staff, a device with no moving parts like an enthalpic core may be best. If energy efficiency is most important, an enthalpy wheel may be the right solution. Regenerative heat exchangers have efficiences of up to 95% and can have a dramatic impact on the amount of heat needed to maintain space conditions. For ASHP applications, choose a technology that optimizes heating performance. 

ASHPs have an inherent application challenge where frost can accumulate on the outdoor (evaporating) coil when the unit is in heating mode. Frost accumulation degrades the heating performance of the system and requires a defrost cycle to remove the frost and allow the coil to operate at maximum effectiveness. When the unit is in defrost mode, the heat of the compressor is re-directed away from distributing warm air to the space and instead toward the outdoor coil in order to melt the frost. This can result in little to no heat being directed to the space. The net result may be that the space begins to cool, many times below the desired setpoint. Two ways to address this challenge are either to reduce the frequency and duration of defrost cycles, or design a unit with multiple circuits allowing the unit to direct heat to both defrost and space comfort.

In order to reduce the risk that the unit goes into defrost unnecessarily, the defrost sequence should be initiated based on the right data. Some HVAC unit controllers are using outdoor air temperature as that trigger. However, the reality is that outdoor air dewpoint is actually more indicative of the possibility of forming frost. Cool (i.e. 40 °F), misty air on the outdoor coil of an ASHP unit can quickly create frost. Conversely, a cold (0 °F) day with little to no moisture in the air may not create frost conditions.

To design an ASHP with the most up-time in heating mode, designers should understand what triggers defrost, how long the defrost cycle lasts, and how the unit exits defrost mode. Look for measured inputs based on outdoor air dewpoint and saturated suction temperature as the optimal indicators that there truly is frost on the outdoor coil. Once saturated suction temperatures return to setpoint, or a maximum amount of time (in minutes) passes, the unit can stop defrosting and return to normal operation. 

Another powerful option to avoid unit down-time during defrost is to choose a unit with multiple circuits. This allows the heat of one circuit to be directed to defrost while the remaining circuit(s) continue to provide heat to the space. 

While ASHP are an incredibly efficient way to heat a space, there are conditions where performance may be interrupted. These include:

• Ambient temperature below 0 °F
• Active defrost cycle to remove frost accumulation

The use of secondary heat in these instances – particularly SCR electric resistance heat – ensures consistent control over supply air temperatures. Other secondary heat sources for use when the ambient temperature drops below 0 °F include hot water coils, steam coils, indirect gas furnaces, and direct-fired gas furnaces.

Note that for both the compressor and the secondary heat source to run simultaneously, the electrical service to the unit must be sufficient.