Research on the Configurations and Control Methods of a Hybrid System of Air-Source Heat Pumps and Gas Boilers for Space Heating: Simulation and Comparative Analysis

Yangyang Mao, Minghui Ma, Shenxin Chen, Huajian Zhan, Yuwei Yuan, Yanhui Wang, Jiewen Deng () and Chenwei Peng
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Yangyang Mao: Hubei Key Laboratory of Multi-Media Pollution Cooperative Control in Yangtze Basin, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Minghui Ma: School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China
Shenxin Chen: Hubei Key Laboratory of Multi-Media Pollution Cooperative Control in Yangtze Basin, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Huajian Zhan: Hubei Key Laboratory of Multi-Media Pollution Cooperative Control in Yangtze Basin, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Yuwei Yuan: Hubei Key Laboratory of Multi-Media Pollution Cooperative Control in Yangtze Basin, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Yanhui Wang: Hubei Key Laboratory of Multi-Media Pollution Cooperative Control in Yangtze Basin, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Jiewen Deng: Hubei Key Laboratory of Multi-Media Pollution Cooperative Control in Yangtze Basin, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Chenwei Peng: Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-23

Abstract: This study analyzes the configurations and control strategies of hybrid heating systems of air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) and gas boilers for space heating in different climatic regions in China, with the aim of improving the comprehensive energy efficiency. Parallel and series hybrid modes were proposed, and simulation analysis was conducted to analyze the energy performance, energy costs, and CO 2 emissions of different hybrid systems. The results show that the supply water temperatures of ASHPs in series mode are lower than that of ASHPs in parallel mode; thus, the COP of ASHPs in series mode reached 2.73 and was higher than the COP of ASHPs in parallel mode with a value of 2.65. Then, the optimal intermediate temperatures of hybrid system in series mode were analyzed, so as to guide the system control. The results show that compared with series mode with a fixed 50% load distribution, the operational costs and CO 2 emissions were reduced by 10.0% and 10.4% in Harbin, reduced by 6.4% and 8.3% in Beijing, and reduced by 10.0% and 15.1% in Wuhan. Additionally, the optimal intermediate temperature was affected by the building load ratio, supply water temperature, ambient air temperature, and the electricity–gas price ratio. The series-hybrid ASHP and gas boiler system achieves remarkable energy and cost savings across different climatic conditions, providing a scientific basis for promoting low-carbon heating solutions.

Keywords: air source heat pump; control optimization; gas boiler; hybrid system; system configuration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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