Heat Pump and Thermal Comfort: Efficiency and Energy Storage for the Tourism Sector

In recent years, the heat pump has become one of the key technologies for sustainable heating and air conditioning, thanks to its ability to produce thermal energy with high efficiency and almost zero emissions.

However, systems using this technology still have room for improvement. This is especially evident in cases involving hotels, resorts, and other hospitality facilities. In these buildings, heat demand peaks sharply and suddenly at certain times of the day. As a result, system design requires special attention, both in terms of component selection and identifying their optimal configuration. In such cases, higher performance can be achieved by integrating the heat pump with an advanced thermal storage system, such as the I-TES thermal battery.

We’ve also discussed applications of thermal batteries in residential systems. Here is the link to the full article How to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home with Thermal Batteries

Heat Pump Efficiency and Performance: How They Are Measured

The efficiency of a heat pump is expressed through two key indicators:

1. COP (Coefficient of Performance): measures the ratio between thermal energy produced and electrical energy consumed under standard conditions.
2. SCOP (Seasonal COP): takes into account the machine's behavior over the entire operating season.

High heat pump performance is achieved only when the system operates under optimal conditions. Here are the main factors to consider:

Factors that improve efficiency:

• Reduced difference between source and terminal
  The heat pump always extracts a resource from the outside. In some cases, it’s water, in others, air. The lower the temperature difference between the source and the desired output temperature, the better the efficiency.
• Continuity and stability in work cycles
  A well-sized system ensures the machine operates in a stable regime for longer, where it is more efficient. This increases the lifespan of the heat pump.

Factors that reduce efficiency in real systems:

• Frequent ON/OFF cycles
  If the system lacks adequate storage, the pump turns on and off frequently to meet small demands, which can cause wear and losses.
• Partial or unbalanced loads
  When the machine's power is not well-matched to actual thermal demand, imbalances occur that lower seasonal performance.
• Delayed response to thermal demand
  Without thermal storage, sudden peaks (e.g., morning in hotels) require quick activation that the pump cannot immediately cover, reducing comfort and performance.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Heat Pumps in Medium-Large Systems

The use of heat pumps is growing in many sectors, also thanks to incentives and a favorable regulatory environment. However, it's important to assess benefits and limitations based on the system configuration.

Advantages of heat pumps

• High energy efficiency
  With COP values even >3, it allows the production of 3 thermal kWh with 1 electrical kWh.
• Reduction of local emissions
  No combustion = zero direct emissions. Excellent for low-emission zones.
• Access to incentives and tax breaks
  Bonuses, Conto Termico, and super amortizations can make it an economically advantageous choice.
• Easy integration with renewables
  Easily pairs with photovoltaic, solar thermal, and storage systems for 100% green energy management.

Disadvantages of heat pumps

• Performance varies based on loads and outdoor temperatures
  In winter or with dynamic loads, the COP can drop significantly.
• Discontinuous operation cycles without storage
  Without a buffer or battery, startups are frequent and inefficient.
• Inadequate response to sudden peaks
  Heat pumps are not instantaneous: they require technical response time, which can be critical in highly variable applications.
• Need for buffer tanks or thermal flywheels to stabilize the system
  Storage (or an intelligent thermal battery) is needed to ensure proper operation.

When the I-TES Thermal Battery Makes the Difference

Integration with a PCM thermal battery becomes particularly advantageous in any system using a heat pump. In the tourism sector, thermal batteries with high discharge power can ensure the desired comfort level while also improving overall system efficiency.

Here are some use cases where the application of i-TES batteries can be particularly interesting:

• Hotels and resorts
  High demand peaks (e.g., morning showers).
• Campsites and holiday villages
  Concentrated shower demands, often powered by solar thermal panels.
• Public buildings and energy communities
  In both cases, they enable modular, scalable, and zero-local-emission distribution, suitable for sustainable projects.

What Does a Thermal Battery Do in a Heat Pump System?

• Absorbs heat produced when the pump is operating at peak efficiency and/or when a renewable source is producing surplus energy
• Releases it when the pump stops or during peak demand times
• Dampens ON/OFF cycles, increasing the lifespan of the machine
• Reduces losses and waste, thanks to insulation and latent storage capacity
• Enables scheduled operation, taking advantage of time-of-use tariffs or solar PV production

Concrete Advantages of Integration

Integrating a PCM thermal battery into a heat pump system not only enhances efficiency, but also allows you to optimize the overall operation of the system, especially in contexts with variable or time-concentrated energy demand.
Here are the main observed benefits:

• Higher overall seasonal efficiency
  Fewer unnecessary cycles, more optimal operating hours, and more stable thermal management.
• Reduced operating costs
  Lower electricity consumption, less wear on components, and reduced maintenance needs: the system lasts longer.
• Continuous thermal comfort delivery
  Stored energy is always ready to meet demand peaks, even when the pump cannot activate.
• Adaptability to various contexts without invasive interventions
  The battery is modular and compact: it can be easily installed even in existing systems without major changes.
• Possibility to reduce installed thermal power
  Smart thermal storage allows optimal pump sizing, offering clear economic and system advantages.

Examples of Typical Applications

• Seasonal hotel with high DHW loads in the morning → the battery stores heat for up to 24 hours – for example, produced during the hottest hours when photovoltaic performance is best – and releases it in the evening or the next morning on demand.
• Campsite with shared showers → the thermal battery ensures immediate availability and reduces oversizing.

In conclusion, the heat pump is one of the best technologies available for efficient heating and cooling. But in tourism contexts, to fully unlock its potential, an intelligent thermal energy management system is required.

The i-TES thermal battery, thanks to PCM technology, represents an advanced solution, scalable, sustainable, and ready for the needs of future systems.

Do you want to optimize the efficiency of your heat pump?

Contact us to find out how to integrate one of our thermal batteries into your system.