Heat Pumps
A heat pump is a new way to use renewable energy to supply hot water and does not require solar panels on the roof. Heat pumps can save you substantial money on your hot water bills, as they use approximately one third the energy of an electric hot water systems. There is also generous rebates available making them an extremely economical alternative.
How does a heat pump produce hot water ?
A heat pump works by transferring heat not by converting electrical energy into heat.
A heat pump water heater removes energy from a low temperature source (ambient air or waste water) and moves it to a high temperature hot water tank.
Electricity is used to upgrade the quality (temperature) of heat energy not to generate heat energy
A heat pump is a little like a reverse refrigerator. It draws the heat in the air outside of the unit to the water stored inside the system through a heat exchanger. In the case of heat pumps, “heat” is a relative term as they will still work in very cold conditions* – at least -10 degrees Celsius, so it will still be generating hot water for you in cooler monthsTo further improve the efficiency of the heat pump you can attach your heat pump hot water system to a solar booster.
Comparison of electricity demand
Heat pump peak electrical power demand = 500 to 1000W
Electric water heater peak power demand = 2400 to 4800 W