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Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic Red Seal · Question

A residential heat pump system has a design heating load of 15 kW at an outdoor temperature of -8°C. The heat pump's capacity at -8°C is 10 kW. If the auxiliary electric resistance heaters are rated at 5 kW, what is the balance point temperature of this system?

The balance point is the outdoor temperature at which the heat pump's heating capacity exactly matches the building's heating load. In this scenario, at -8°C, t

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Question: A residential heat pump system has a design heating load of 15 kW at an outdoor temperature of -8°C. The heat pump's capacity at -8°C is 10 kW. If the auxiliary electric resistance heaters are rated at 5 kW, what is the balance point temperature of this system?

Answer options: ✅ The balance point is -8°C, and auxiliary heat is required below this temperature.

  • The balance point is above -8°C, indicating undersized auxiliary heat.
  • The balance point is below -8°C, as the auxiliary heat perfectly matches the deficit.
  • More information is needed, such as the heat pump's COP at -8°C.

Correct answer: The balance point is -8°C, and auxiliary heat is required below this temperature.

Explanation: The balance point is the outdoor temperature at which the heat pump's heating capacity exactly matches the building's heating load. In this scenario, at -8°C, the heat pump provides 10 kW, and the building needs 15 kW. The 5 kW auxiliary heat makes up the difference, thus -8°C is the balance point.

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