Heat Pump Water Heaters: An Introduction

The tests and studies have shown that the water heater with heating pump is demonstrating remarkable results, so it may be a good idea to acquire one. If you’re not in the situation to use natural gas for heating, electric heater is a proposed economic option.

Heat pumps are a novel and more powerful technique to warm up the water. The machine employs a compressor commonly situated in air conditioning units and fridges. It works exactly the opposite of how a refrigerator operates – it brings the heat from a room to a water tank and consequently chills the room (while fridge cools the interior of the device).

The necessary back-up apparatus

When the extra hot water is needed and quickly, the auxiliary electric resistance components are engaged. This helps with its performing traits but sadly jots down a minus in the efficiency column. To compensate on this, there’s a handy option in the form of remote control and different modes of operation:

• The most energy-conserving heat-pump primary mode which relies solely on the power of the pump
• The mix of electric and heat pump drive called the ‘hybrid mode’
• The electric-only mode for the cold days (to prevent overcooling of the space) and fast results.

Overall, the efficiency of this type of pump definitely tops the saving rates of the units using electric resistance. The heat pump also lowers the humidity of the room where it’s placed.

Efficiency rates numbers

Both kinds of water heaters, heat pump and electric have an EF (Energy Factor) which is drawn from standard test process executed in laboratories. The rating refers to the equation representing transported heat to the water divided by the energy appliance itself consumed.

The span examined is 24 hours, and the variables include the position and the capacity of the hot water sections, temperature of the heated water and regular room temperature, claim experienced residential plumbers. The data about piping loss should be incorporated in the calculations to create a more comprehensive report and understanding of the system.

Heat-pump’s EF of 2.0 up to 2.5 sweeps the victory compared to 0.9 of electric heaters’ EF. To measure an EF you’ll need to have heaters in the laboratory. Still, another parameter can be determined outside of it. COP (coefficient of performance) can be calculated at the installation site, but only with adequate instruments. Heat-pump again leads with twice the efficiency.

Picking the location

The three options emerge as possible settings for your heat-pump:

• In a connected garage – for the hotter climates
• In a basement – for the colder regions
• If you lack both exploit utility storage that’s spacious enough

We’d like to pinpoint that the performance varies in all three places. Here are the absolute requirements for pump installation:

• A sufficiently large room, from 500-1000 ft2, for air circulation
• A tall-enough ceiling, from 63 to 82”
• A potential for gravity drainage or condensate pump
• An unobstructed access space for maintenance works and drains
• A distant location from bedrooms and living areas, to separate us from the operating noise it produces.

Saving potential

A household in New England can save from 40 to whopping 270 dollars on yearly basis by opting for the heat-pump water heater. Their estimated usage stats are 35 gallons of heated water daily. Smaller savings come from less fortunate locations, while the highest ones are brought by the warm and broad rooms. The installation expenses range from 1,400 to 2,700 dollars based on a model. The return of investment period is around seven years.

If you have thought about the purchase of this energy-efficient water heating system, we have presented you with the data essentials for potential new users. Make sure you cover all the requirements and your journey with the heat-pump water heater can begin.