Develops the return-flow booster, a retrofit split heat pump for supplementing existing oil, gas, pellet and wood heating systems
Thermovation
Esplanade 10, 85049 Ingolstadt (DE)New on Amplifa
About Thermovation
Thermovation is a spin-off of Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences (TH Ingolstadt) and is funded by the EXIST start-up grant; the team is part of the Fraunhofer AHEAD program in cooperation with Fraunhofer ISE. The company develops the patented return-flow booster: a compact split heat pump that supplements existing oil, gas, pellet or wood heating systems in existing buildings without replacing the boiler. The system consists of a lightweight outdoor unit from the air-conditioning sector (under 30 kg, wall- or floor-mounted) and an indoor unit with a heat exchanger and automatic control that preheats the water directly at the heating return flow. Thanks to a standardized plug-and-play concept, installation via a network of certified trade partners is usually completed within one working day. The target group are owners of single-family, semi-detached and terraced houses looking for an affordable entry into the heating transition; the list price is €2,500 after maximum subsidy (RRP €8,333). The place of founding and current location is Ingolstadt in Bavaria.
- Site
- Ingolstadt
- Processes
- Heat pump retrofit (return-flow booster) for existing oil/gas/pellet/wood heating systems, Installation of split heat pump with outdoor unit and indoor unit at the heating return flow, Heat transfer via heat exchanger to the heating return flow with automatic control (outdoor, Retrofit solution return-flow booster (heat pump as hybrid supplement to oil/gas/pellet/wood, Installation in one day (plug-and-play), Consulting/energy consulting (cooperation with EE plus Ingolstadt), Installation via certified trade partner network
- Materials
- Split heat pump technology (air/water), Heat exchanger (indoor unit), Automatic control
- Certificates
- ISO 9001, Fraunhofer cooperation (AHEAD/ISE)
- Industries
- GreenTech/heating technology, Existing buildings (single-family, semi-detached, terraced houses), Hybrid heating systems, Private households with existing buildings (single-family, semi-detached,
- 01
Engineering & development (Fraunhofer cooperation)
- 02
Procurement of split outdoor units from the air-conditioning sector
- 03
Manufacturing of the indoor unit (heat exchanger + control)
- 04
Consulting & home suitability assessment
- 05
Installation via certified trade partner network (1-day installation)
- 06
Commissioning & automatic control
Technology & Components
Split heat pump technology (air/water)
Proven mass-produced components from the air-conditioning sector with separate outdoor and indoor units, connected via 8–9 mm refrigerant lines.
Heat exchanger (indoor unit)
Transfers the heat from the refrigerant to the heating water in the return flow of the existing boiler.
Automatic control
Continuously measures the outdoor temperature and automatically adjusts the heat pump output.
Location
Ingolstadt
DEEXIST team / development & management (TH Ingolstadt)
- Part weight / size
- < 30 kg (outdoor unit)
- Lot size
- Pilot phase with 10 pilot customers (autumn 2026)
- Materials
- Split outdoor unit, indoor unit (heat exchanger, control)
- Split outdoor unit heat pump
- Indoor unit return-flow booster with heat exchanger and control
System Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump retrofit (return-flow booster) for existing oil/gas/pellet/wood heating systemsInstallation | – | – | < 30 kg (outdoor unit) | – | Refrigerant lines (8-9 mm), Heating water |
| Installation of split heat pump with outdoor unit and indoor unit at the heating return flowInstallation | – | – | – | – | – |
| Heat transfer via heat exchanger to the heating return flow with automatic control (outdoorEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Split outdoor unit heat pump (air-conditioning technology) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Indoor unit return-flow booster (heat exchanger + control) | – | – | – | – | Boiler room |
Additional services
Quality & Development
The patented solution is based on research and field tests in cooperation with Fraunhofer ISE; certified management systems do not yet exist as an EXIST start-up project.
| Evidence | Ingolstadt |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | |
| Fraunhofer cooperation (AHEAD/ISE) |
Development & Roadmap
- 2025
Spin-off of Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences (TH Ingolstadt); EXIST start-up grant; part of the Fraunhofer AHEAD program in cooperation with Fraunhofer ISE (founding year not explicitly stated)
- 2026
Autumn: pilot phase with 10 pilot customers (already fully booked)
- 2027
Spring: official launch in Bavaria
- 2028
Nationwide availability across Germany and expansion of the partner network