Experimental study on the application of air-source heat pump in a warm-temperate extreme-arid-desert climate zone

Clean and low-carbon heating methods are vigorously promoted in China under a carbon peak and carbon neutrality background. The application of air-source heat pump system (ASHP) technology has become a research hotspot as a clean and low-carbon heating method. This paper investigated the performance of an ASHP applied in Hotan, Xinjiang, China, categorized as a warm-temperate extreme-arid-desert climate (WT-EADC) zone. The actual performance of an airsource heat pump heating system with radiant floor heating (ASHP-RF) was tested experimentally using a WT-EADC zone. The system performance of the low-temperature and high-humidity climate (LTHHC), typical climate (TC), and high-temperature and low-humidity climate (HTLHC) was thoroughly examined. Results show that the system performances of the LTHHC, TC, and, HTLHC differ significantly. The average coefficient of performance (COP) values of the system under these conditions were 2.13, 2.24, and 2.46, respectively. The COP of the system increased initially with increasing ambient temperature and decreased with increasing ambient relative humidity. During the operation of the ASHP-RF, there was an ambient relative humidity corresponding to the optimal efficiency. The experimental results demonstrated that the ASHP-RF completely met the heating demand of buildings under a warm-temperate extreme-arid-desert climate, demonstrating the advantages of high efficiency and exhibiting broad-application prospects.