Heat Pump Hot Water Cylinder
Heat pump hot water cylinders use a refrigeration cycle to extract heat from the air and raise the temperature of your household water in an insulated storage tank. Some models also incorporate back-up electric heating elements for high demand.
The fan, compressor and water pump run on direct current (DC) rather than alternating current (AC), which increases energy efficiency. If cheaper night-rate electricity is available in your area, you can even save more energy.
Energy efficiency
Heat pump hot water cylinders are the most energy efficient way to heat your water. They can cut your electricity costs by 70% compared to a standard electric tank. They also emit no harmful greenhouse gases and are environmentally friendly.
A heat pump works in the same way as a reverse-cycle air conditioner, extracting energy from ambient warm air to heat your water in an insulated storage cylinder. They can be installed either as an integrated system, where the evaporator, fan and compressor are all attached to or wrapped around the storage cylinder, or in split systems where they’re located separate to the insulated cylinder.
The evaporator coils absorb heat from the surrounding warm air, passing it to a compressor that pumps and compresses it to a higher temperature. The refrigerant then evaporates in the condenser coils, which loses its heat and cools down to a liquid state before it goes back into the evaporator coils to repeat the cycle.
Most HPWHs use between 60 and 75% less electricity than an electric heat pump hot water cylinder storage water heater because they only use electricity to drive the compressor and fan, rather than heating the water directly with an element. They are also able to be run off-peak using rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, reducing your electricity costs even further.
Energy costs
Heat pump hot water systems (HPWHs) are more energy efficient than electric resistance hot water heaters and don’t produce greenhouse gases. They use a refrigeration cycle to extract heat from the air and transfer it to an insulated storage cylinder. They are similar to reverse-cycle air conditioners, which also absorb heat from the surrounding air. They’re a good option for homes located in areas that don’t get enough sun to generate solar hot water.
Electric resistance hot water heaters use an element to heat the water inside a tank. However, these elements require a lot of energy to function. HPWHs use up to 3 times less energy and are also more eco-friendly than gas tank systems.
Like all storage systems, HPWHs lose some energy through their walls and pipes over time. This is known as standby energy losses, and it can be a significant portion of your overall hot water energy use. However, insulation reduces these losses and is a great investment.
HPWHs have a higher upfront cost than electric or gas equipment, but rebates and incentives make them more affordable. In addition, these systems can add value to your home by attracting environmentally conscious buyers. In fact, a study in Nature Energy found that green upgrades increase house values by $10,000 or more.
Installation
While a heat pump water heater is relatively expensive upfront, it saves energy over its life. Moreover, it is environmentally friendly and operates at lower temperatures than conventional cylinders. It also works in a way that is not dependent on sunlight, so it can be used in areas with poor climate conditions. Nevertheless, you will need to install it in a well-ventilated area to ensure proper operation. It may be a good idea to use ducting to vent the air outside in some cases.
A heat pump water heater is a tall cylinder with a small chamber on top and a larger one on the bottom. The top of the cylinder has a fan and a cylindrical compressor, which is surrounded by an evaporator. The evaporator absorbs heat from the ambient air and transfers it to the water tank. The refrigerant is then pumped through the compressor to increase its pressure and temperature.
When you’re ready to purchase a heat pump hot water cylinder, you should look for plumbers who specialize in the installation of this type of system. They will know how to install the system and will make sure it is properly sized for your household. This will ensure that you get the most out of the system, which will help reduce your electricity bill. In addition, you will be eligible for various rebates and incentives.
Maintenance
Like any appliance, a heat pump hot water cylinder may experience technical issues over its lifespan. However, these issues can be resolved or prevented through regular maintenance procedures and fixes. If you notice anything weird, such as a rattling noise or a bad smell coming from your heater, it’s time for a tune-up!
A dripping hot water cylinder can mean that something is loose or the heater’s condensate drain is dirty and clogged. You can prevent this by inspecting and cleaning the drain on a regular basis.
If you’re noticing that your water is not as hot as it should be, the first thing to heat pump hot water cylinder check is the thermostat – it might be set too high. You can also run a series of tests on the fuse, circuit breaker, and temperature sensor to determine if any of these are not working properly.
Finally, it’s also worth nudge the lever of the mixing valve to make sure that incoming cold water is being mixed with outgoing hot water – this will help you avoid hot water scalding. If you have a glass-lined hot water cylinder, you should also ask a plumber to replace the anode rod every two years to avoid corrosion. This will also ensure that the hot water cylinder is protected from sulfate ingress. Keeping up with these routine maintenance procedures can help you save money in the long run and ensure that your heat pump hot water cylinder operates as efficiently as possible!