Heating System And A Method For Heating

Abstract

The invention relates to a building heating system which includes an insulated foundation ( 9 ) beneath the lowermost ( 12 ) of the building. According to the invention, the system comprises at least one heat pump ( 1, 2 ) that includes a heat absorbing side ( 2 ) located in the foundation space ( 9 ). The system also includes means ( 23 ) for distributing air from the foundation space ( 9 ) to spaces situated above the floor ( 12 ). The system also includes means ( 7 ) for delivering external air to the foundation space ( 9 ). The invention also relates to a method of heating a building.

1 . A building heating system which comprises an insulated foundation space ( 9 ) situated beneath the lowermost floor ( 12 ) of the building, wherein at least one heat pump ( 1 , 2 ) that has a heat emitting side ( 2 ) located in the foundation space ( 9 ), means ( 14 ,  23 ) for distributing air from the foundation space ( 9 ) to spaces located above said lowermost floor ( 12 ), and means ( 7 ) for delivering external air to the foundation space. 
   
   
       2 . A heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the air distribution means ( 14 ,  23 ) include gaps ( 14 ) between said floor ( 12 ) and the walls ( 13 ) of the building. 
   
   
       3 . A heating system according to  claim 1 , including a fan or blower ( 8 ,  34 ) mounted in the foundation space ( 9 ). 
   
   
       4 . A heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the air distribution means ( 4 ,  23 ) include at least one air conduit ( 23 ) that has an inlet opening ( 23   b ) which is disposed in the foundation space ( 9 ) and the position of which can be varied. 
   
   
       5 . A heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat pump ( 1 , 2 ) has a heat absorbing side ( 1 ) which is structured for air as the heat emitting medium. 
   
   
       6 . A heating system according to  claim 5 , wherein the heat absorbing side ( 1 ) of the heat pump ( 1 , 2 ) is structured for external air as the heat emitting medium. 
   
   
       7 . A heating system according to  claim 5 , wherein the heat absorbing side ( 1 ) of the heat pump ( 1 , 2 ) is structured for extracted air as the heat emitting medium. 
   
   
       8 . A heating system according to  claim 5 , wherein the heat absorbing side ( 1 ) of the heat pump ( 1 , 2 ) is structured to use simultaneously both external air and extracted air as the heat emitting medium. 
   
   
       9 . A heating system according to  claim 8 , wherein the heat absorbing side ( 1 ) of the heat pump ( 1 , 2 ) is structured for a mixture of external and extracted air as the heat emitting medium. 
   
   
       10 . A heating system according to  claim 5 , wherein the heat absorbing side of the heat pump ( 1 ,  2 ) is structured for water and/or earth as the heat emitting medium. 
   
   
       11 . A heating system according to  claim 10 , wherein the system includes control means for switching between different operational states of the heat pump ( 1 , 2 ) said operational states include the use of solely air as a heat emitting medium; the use of solely water and/or earth as the heat emitting medium; and the use of both air or water and/or earth as the heat emitting medium. 
   
   
       12 . A heating system according to  claim 11 , wherein the system includes at least one heat carrying conduit ( 33 ) disposed in the ground (S) beneath said foundation space, this heat carrying conduit being joined to the absorbing side ( 32 ) of the heat pump ( 1 ). 
   
   
       13 . A heating system according to  claim 12 , wherein the system includes means ( 24 ) for heating the ground (S) beneath the foundation space ( 9 ). 
   
   
       14 . A heating system according to  claim 13 , wherein the system includes a solar panel ( 29 ) and/or a hearth ( 27 ) and heat transfer means ( 25 ,  26 ,  28 ,  35 ) adapted to transfer heat from the solar panel ( 29 ), the hearth ( 27 ) and/or the foundation space ( 9 ) to the ground (S) beneath the foundation space ( 9 ). 
   
   
       15 . A method of heating a building that includes an insulated foundation space beneath the lowermost floor of the building, comprising the steps of placing a heat emitting side of a heat pump in said foundation space, distributing air from the foundation space to spaces situated above said floor, and delivering external air to the foundation space. 
   
   
       16 . (canceled)