Equipment Expertise
What is a water source heat pump?
A water source heat pump heats or cools a space by exchanging heat with a shared building water loop. Each unit has its own refrigeration circuit and fan, allowing individual spaces to respond to local temperature demand.
Where you’ll find this equipment
- Commercial offices
- Multi-tenant buildings
- Retail and mixed-use properties
- Buildings with a shared condenser-water loop
System Operation
How It Works
In cooling mode, the heat pump transfers heat from the space into the water loop. In heating mode, it extracts heat from that loop. The building’s central heat-rejection and heating equipment maintains suitable loop conditions, so a unit fault may involve both local equipment and the wider system.
Equipment Overview
Main Components
Refrigeration circuit
The compressor and reversing valve enable heating and cooling operation.
Water heat exchanger
Transfers heat between the refrigerant circuit and building water loop.
Fan and air coil
Move and condition the air serving the occupied space.
Valves and controls
Regulate water flow and protect the unit during operation.
Common Problems We Find
- Restricted water flow or plugged strainers
- High- or low-pressure lockouts
- Dirty filters and reduced airflow
- Condensate leaks or blocked drains
- Fan or compressor faults
- Water-loop temperatures outside operating limits
Why Maintenance Matters
Service should consider both airside condition and water-loop performance. Checking filters, drains, operating temperatures, water flow and fault history helps distinguish a unit problem from a building-wide issue.
- More consistent building operation
- Earlier identification of wear and deficiencies
- Clearer repair and replacement priorities
The RK Approach
Service that considers the whole building
RK Climate Control supports commercial equipment troubleshooting, preventative maintenance and replacement planning throughout the Lower Mainland. We focus on practical diagnostics, clear documentation and the way each piece of equipment works with the rest of the building.
Tell us the unit location, any alarm codes and whether other heat pumps in the building have the same problem.
Keep Your Equipment Running Reliably
Request service or discuss a maintenance plan for your building.