Hot water heat pumps for residential and commercial applications
In our homes, businesses and buildings you may come across many ways for hot water to be heated. From electric storage units, gas instantaneous, gas storage and solar, hot water units come in many shapes and sizes. Where traditionally the above options where the go to or industry standard a quality and efficient heat pump can now take their place.
How Does It Work?
Just like an air conditioning system you use to heat your home a hot water heat pump operates using a refrigeration cycle that moves heat from a high temperature source (the air outside) to a lower temperature destination (the water in the tank). To undertake this process the hot water heat pump uses electricity.
A more technical explanation
Heat pumps work through the use of a refrigerant that evaporates at low temperatures.There are several steps in the process:
- A liquid refrigerant passes through an evaporator where it picks up heat from the air and becomes a gas.
- The gas refrigerant is compressed in an electric compressor. Compressing the gas causes its temperature to increase so that it becomes hotter than the water in the tank.
- The hot gas flows into a condenser, where it passes its heat to the water and turns back into a liquid.
- The liquid refrigerant then flows into an expansion valve where its pressure is reduced, allowing it to cool and enter the evaporator to repeat the cycle.
Refrigerants
Different heat pumps utilise different types of refrigerant which give them different efficiency outputs. Currently a large number of hot water heat pumps on the Australian market are till utilising older style refrigerants like R410a and R314a there are models on the market the use more environmentally friendly refrigerants like R290 and R744 (Co2).
When we look at refrigerants we look at their efficiency across a wide range of temperatures and also what their environmental impact is if let go in nature.
For us our heat pumps of choice use the natural refrigerant of Co2. This has a GWP (global warming potential) of 1 vs 1430 for R314a and 2088 for R410a. Keep in mind that this means R314a is 1430 times worse for the environment and R410a is 2088 times worse for the environment than Co2
Electric elements….
A true heat pump should be just that a heat pump. On the market today a large number of hot water heat pumps have a back up element. These are often marketed as a boost or hybrid system. In our view if a heat pump requires an element to keep up with demand it is “not fit for purpose”
Cost Savings
The savings from using a heat pump will depend on the quantity of hot water used. In our experience our quality hot water heat pumps can reduce yours electricity use up to 80% compared to a standard electric hot water tank.
The prefect partner to Solar PV
Due to the low electricity use of a quality heat pump plus the fact you get more out than you put in, A quality heat pump is the perfect partner to run with your solar PV system. With our heat pump controls we can set the heat pump to run at optimum solar generation times to help maximise your onsite self consumption of power generated from your PV panels.
Co2 hot water heat pump options
In Australia we have access to some very high quality and efficient hot water heat pumps. From smaller residential units through to units that are suitable for larger hot water demands and temperatures upto 90 deg c.
Below are our products of choice.
Reclaim Energy Co2 hot water heat pump
The Reclaim energy CO2 Heat pump has been developed by one of Australia’s leading hot water equipment companies in partnership with Japan’s leading heat pump manufacturer to create one of the most efficient and smartest heat pumps to the market.
With excellent cold weather performance characteristics and no need for a boosting element to supplement heating for your hot water the Reclaim energy CO2 Heat pump is the perfect way to heat your hot water all over Australia.
Plus it boasts being one of the quietest systems on the market with a whisper quiet functionality having an average noise level: 37 dB . So no annoying noise for you or your neighbour.
With the Reclaim energy CO2 Heat pump only needing 1kW to create between 4 to 5 kW of heat. That makes it an impressive 400 to 500% efficient which = great savings on your hot water. If you have an existing electric storage hot water heater you can reduce you energy bill by up to 80%
MHI QTON Co2 hot water heat pump
The Q-ton heat pump can deliver hot water from 60°C to 90°C at 100% capacity at an outdoor temperature down to -7°C and will continue to produce hot water down to -25°C.
Engineered to meet a range of demands including the need for medium to large sanitary hot water generation, low electricity consumption and high environmental responsibility, Q-ton represents the efficient solution to the old boiler type systems found in most commercial settings.
A 30kW Q-ton can produce in excess of 600 L per hour. By utilising the modular configuration availability, 16 x heat pumps can be connected to provide 480kW capacity and approximately 100,000 litres of hot water.
Find out more
If you are interested to find out more about our Co2 hot water heat pump range and how they can provide you with energy efficient hot water contact us today