Out with the 27-year-old brine Heat Pump, in with the OVUM.
CUBIC Takes Over in Krummenau
In a well-preserved, renovated farmhouse in Krummenau at an elevation of approximately 800 meters above sea level, the modular OVUM CUBIC Heat Pump replaced a roughly 27-year-old Satag brand ground-water Heat Pump—with an active cooling function, the natural refrigerant R290, and rated at approximately 10 kW for this building.
Implemented by MHG Heiztechnik (Switzerland) GmbH and a regional specialist partner.
Replacing a Heat Pump Instead of Buying a New One
A Satag brine-to-water Heat Pump had been in use for about 27 years in this renovated farmhouse in Krummenau. As part of the modernization, the plant was replaced with a new OVUM CUBIC Heat Pump. The CUBIC’s modular, stackable design was configured to fit the existing boiler room at approximately 10 kW and operates using the natural refrigerant R290 (approximately 150 g per module). In addition to its heating function, the Plant features an active cooling function.
Compact installation in confined spaces
The existing boiler room has a low ceiling. CUBIC’s modular design allows for space-saving installation, in which the individual components can be arranged in a clear and organized manner.
CUBIC Heat Pump
Modular, stackable Heat Pump from OVUM using the natural refrigerant R290; rated at approximately 10 kW for this project.
Active Cooling Function
In addition to its heating function, the plant offers an active cooling function for the warmer months.
Compact design
Modular stacking design, suitable for boiler rooms with low ceilings.
Installation Procedure
Before installing the new plant, the factory service team properly drained the refrigerant from the old Satag Heat Pump; the old plant was then dismantled and properly disposed of. After the CUBIC Heat Pump was installed in the boiler room, the hydraulic connections were made. The electrician then completed the remaining connections. After commissioning, all pipes were insulated to finish the job.
- Proper evacuation of the refrigerant from the old plant (factory service)
- Removal and proper disposal of the old brine Heat Pump
- Installation of the CUBIC Heat Pump in the existing boiler room
- Hydraulic connection
- Electrical Wiring
- Commissioning of the Plant
- Insulation of all cables
Why replace an older brine Heat Pump?
Even a brine Heat Pump that has operated reliably for many years—such as the approximately 27-year-old Plant in this project—can reach its technical limits over time, for example in terms of control technology, efficiency, or additional features such as a cooling function. Replacing the Heat Pump while retaining the existing geothermal system is one way to bring the plant up to current technical standards without having to rebuild the entire heating system.
Implemented with an OVUM sales partner
The evacuation of the refrigerant, dismantling of the old system, as well as installation, hydraulic connections, electrical work, commissioning, and the final insulation of the piping were carried out jointly by the factory service team and a regional specialist partner of MHG Heiztechnik (Switzerland) GmbH.
Frequently Asked Questions About CUBIC
No. Deep drilling is one option, but not the only one. Depending on the property, ground-source collectors, ring-trench collectors, geothermal baskets, or—if the groundwater is suitable—well systems may also be considered. The CUBIC heat pump can integrate and even combine up to 10 different heat sources from water or the ground. It’s especially important to note the permitting requirements: geothermal systems generally require official approval. Jurisdiction and requirements may vary by country and state. Your OVUM expert partner will check in advance which source is permitted on your property and makes economic sense, and will handle the application process.
For larger retrofits, modulation and cascading ensure that the plant is precisely sized to meet heat demand and always operates within the optimal speed range. The stackable CUBIC can be easily expanded as demands increase—without the need for additional piping or system replacement. OVUM supports designers and partners with system design and integration.
The CUBIC is the first stackable brine heat pump: Thanks to patented stacking technology, up to 8 modules can be combined, and the output can be flexibly adjusted from 7 to 54.4 kW—without the need for additional piping or system replacement. With only 150 g of R290 per module, installation inside the building is possible without additional safety measures. In addition, up to 10 different energy sources—including air, water, or ground—can be integrated.
OVUM offers scalable solutions for apartment buildings and residential construction: The AirCube achieves up to 160 kW in a cascaded configuration, while the CUBIC, with a capacity of 21–54 kW, covers large residential buildings and smaller apartment buildings—and can be expanded later without replacing the system, thanks to patented stacking technology. Through the ModBus extension, MIRA also integrates into the building management system (BMS).