Is heat pump hot water right for me?
By Fluid Plumbing|April 28, 2022
Not many Australians are aware that they can heat household water through a heat exchange system. Not only is it cheaper to run than gas or electricity, but it’s also better for the environment.
The technology used for this is a heat pump system that can deliver dedicated hot water but can also be used in place of a split cycle air conditioner as well. The heat exchange occurs as the unit extracts the warm air from around it (even 10 degrees celsius is considered warm enough to work) and uses it to create an internal gas that increases the heat enough to warm the water stored inside. As well as warming water ready for your use, it also cools the air around it.
What is a heat pump hot water system?
Basically, a heat pump is a solar-powered heating unit, that gathers the air warmed by the sun and transfers it to your home.
While the unit does rely on electricity to operate its compressor and increase the heat volume, this is a significant reduction compared to what gas or electric hot water systems require, using only one-third of electricity to get the same result, which means you will only need to pay one-third of your current hot water electricity bill.
How heat pump systems work
The heat pump is able to transfer a large amount of heat energy from the surrounding air to the tanked water, rather than relying on excessive amounts of energy to heat the water directly. A cold liquid refrigerant inside the system is able to evaporate at very low temperatures. When the warm air from outside is drawn around the chemical, it transforms into a gas inside the piping. When put under the stress of a compressor, the small heat from the gas amplifies enough to heat the entire water store.
The gas can then be easily cooled back to a liquid for reuse. In this way, the only electrical energy you are using is to power the compressor as well as the fan needed to circulate the cool air.
Pros & Cons
As one of the most energy-efficient options available, heat pump hot water systems are well worth weighing in on. To really do your research, it pays to understand the full benefits and drawbacks this option holds and call a plumber to help decide what types of hot water systems are best for you.
BENEFITS
? You can reduce your carbon footprint
? It’s a significantly more efficient electric heating option
? Government rebates and incentives may be offered
? You can select booster options to help with cold climates or peak demand
DRAWBACKS
? Can cost as much as double a gas or electric unit
? Is noisy when running
? Needs a warm weather environment to run well
? Needs a big surrounding space to distribute air
As well as knowing the current safety laws and regulations, a professional plumber will understand the exact needs of the unit you have chosen to assist in correct placement and connection. When it comes to heat pumps this is even more important as the climate plays a huge part in how efficient your hot water service will be.
Make sure your location matches the environmental requirements for efficient heat pump operations and talk to your professional installer about what you might need to consider as energy boosters if you are in milder weather regions.
The technology used for this is a heat pump system that can deliver dedicated hot water but can also be used in place of a split cycle air conditioner as well. The heat exchange occurs as the unit extracts the warm air from around it (even 10 degrees celsius is considered warm enough to work) and uses it to create an internal gas that increases the heat enough to warm the water stored inside. As well as warming water ready for your use, it also cools the air around it.
What is a heat pump hot water system?
Basically, a heat pump is a solar-powered heating unit, that gathers the air warmed by the sun and transfers it to your home.
While the unit does rely on electricity to operate its compressor and increase the heat volume, this is a significant reduction compared to what gas or electric hot water systems require, using only one-third of electricity to get the same result, which means you will only need to pay one-third of your current hot water electricity bill.
How heat pump systems work
The heat pump is able to transfer a large amount of heat energy from the surrounding air to the tanked water, rather than relying on excessive amounts of energy to heat the water directly. A cold liquid refrigerant inside the system is able to evaporate at very low temperatures. When the warm air from outside is drawn around the chemical, it transforms into a gas inside the piping. When put under the stress of a compressor, the small heat from the gas amplifies enough to heat the entire water store.
The gas can then be easily cooled back to a liquid for reuse. In this way, the only electrical energy you are using is to power the compressor as well as the fan needed to circulate the cool air.
Pros & Cons
As one of the most energy-efficient options available, heat pump hot water systems are well worth weighing in on. To really do your research, it pays to understand the full benefits and drawbacks this option holds and call a plumber to help decide what types of hot water systems are best for you.
BENEFITS
? You can reduce your carbon footprint
? It’s a significantly more efficient electric heating option
? Government rebates and incentives may be offered
? You can select booster options to help with cold climates or peak demand
DRAWBACKS
? Can cost as much as double a gas or electric unit
? Is noisy when running
? Needs a warm weather environment to run well
? Needs a big surrounding space to distribute air
As well as knowing the current safety laws and regulations, a professional plumber will understand the exact needs of the unit you have chosen to assist in correct placement and connection. When it comes to heat pumps this is even more important as the climate plays a huge part in how efficient your hot water service will be.
Make sure your location matches the environmental requirements for efficient heat pump operations and talk to your professional installer about what you might need to consider as energy boosters if you are in milder weather regions.
