Heat Pump Water Heater

Heat Pump Water Heater – For Efficient Hot Water in a Geyser

A heat pump water heater operates by using a device that will move thermal energy that comes from the source that is a lower temperature to some other location that is called the ‘heat sink’ or just ‘sink’ which will be the higher temperature. 

Heat pumps can be classified as compressor devices, for instance air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, but it can also be used to heat water in a geyser

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In the operation of the heat pump a portion of the thermal energy is transformed into a different type of energy before it can appear as thermal energy in the ‘sink’. 

With the use of electricity the heat pump water heater will move the heat from one place to another place; it does not generate heat directly.  Because of the way it operates it is more energy efficient than standard electric resistant water heaters. The operation of moving the heat using a heat pump works in the reverse order of a refrigerator. A refrigerator/freezer requires to be kept cold, where as a heat pump for hot water works in reverse of refrigerator operation to heat the water.

Comparing heat pump water heater to a solar panels for heating a geyser

Both methods are highly efficient, and both are cost effective when operation.  But the cost of each is initially quite expensive, one is looking at around R15,000 to about R20,000. One advantage of solar against heat pumps is the Eskom initiative of helping people to finance solar panels. On overall day to day operation the heat pump has proven to be a bit less expensive to run. 

Deciding on which method to heat the water in your geyser is always a personal decision, comparing the different methods and see which would be the most cost effective, in the long run, is the best way to help make the right decision. There are various ways to find the right information, online the internet has a lot of information that can be looked at before contacting companies for quotes on the type of heat pump water heater, installation costs, future savings on overall usage over a period of time and any specials and savings that can be made.  

When obtaining quotes for a new heat pump, you should contact several companies who do installations; their quotations should reflect the whole job and no hidden extras.  Be especially careful to read the fine print in any quotation, as this is where some companies ‘change the game plan’ and place exclusions, which you can only find out at the end of the job, when you receive the final invoice.

When deciding on a heat pump water heater installer make sure you use a company for your installation that is a member of an accredited body of heat pump installers, that way you have more assurance that the company you are dealing with are approved installers who will carry out the job efficiently and timeously.

Energy Efficient With Heat Pumps water heater

Energy Efficient With Heat Pumps water heater South Africa

Some of the available applications for heat water heater pumps South Africa, are pumps for heating your swimming pool, your hot water and the hot eater Geyser.  These are the popular uses for heat pumps. If you still have an old water heating system to heat the water in your swimming pool, the hot water in your home, you will probably need to consider changing your heating system to a more cost effective and energy efficient system

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Swimming Pools

Swimming pool heat pumps today are about 70% more efficient, are quieter and the units are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.  Their operation is extremely fast at heating the water.   The Swimming pool pumps can extract the heat free from the outside air which makes them economical to operate.

Swimming pool heat pumps work like a refrigerator but in reverse, it is proven as a reliable technology.

The actual operation is the heat pump will draw the heat from the outside, this is done through an evaporator that will collect the heat for free, it even works at a low temperature of 10c.

The heat that is collected will pass through the compressor then the condenser, the swimming pool water is thus heated when it is pumped from the filter back to the pool.

With a thermostat the heat is controlled which leaves the owner free to do other things. The units are easy to install, weather proof, friendly to the environment and are low on maintenance.

Geysers

Fifteen percent of the homes energy usage comes from heating the water for home use, bathing, dish washing, clothes washing etc.  Replacing an old and inefficient water heater with modern heat pumps can effect a saving of up to about 40-80%, these heat pumps when added to an existing water tank and using renewable energy sources for instance the air in your basement, utility room or garage you will be able to heat your water cheaply.  Using a heat pump can significantly reduce your electricity, gas or even propane to heat your water.  You lower your costs at the same time also lower your carbon emissions.

Heat Pumps water heater South Africa

By making use ofa heat pumps water heater you can help energy supplier, Eskom, to contain the possibility of power cuts to conserve their power supply.  No one likes to have their electricity cut for a number of hours while Eskom tries to manage the electricity supply, in fact, installing energy efficient heat pumps water heater will effectively save energy and help keep the lights on.

With energy efficient heat pumps South Africa you will be able to save money, cut your carbon emissions, thus, contributing to South Africa’s ability to meet its emissions targets.   We all need to do our bit for the environment. Water heating contributes approximately 30-50% of many household’s electricity bills, together with the high costs of electricity, and expected increases in the future, every means whereby you are able to cut your utility bills can effectively save you money, one of the ways it can be done is changing your old energy guzzling water heater in your swimming pool and geyser to a more environmentally friendly water heat pump water heater .

Lowing Electricity Bills Using A Heat Pump Water Heater

Tips for Lowing Electricity Bills Using A Heat Pump Water Heater

Using your heat pump water heater correctly and ensuring that it is maintained properly will go a long way to endure that you get the maximum efficient as well as lower energy bills.

Here are a few tips on getting the best out of your heat pump water heater .

• A heat pump water heater  runs more efficiently if you use a timer or thermostat that can control the heat if you intend to run it continuously
  

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• On some heat pump water heater it is best not to manually set-back the thermostat of the heat pump unless it has a specially designed thermostat that has a set-back function on it.  If you manually set back the thermostat in a unit that is not designed for a set-back it will engage the electric resistance back-up heat when raising the thermostat in the morning this will result in greater energy consumption.
• Set the temperature at around 18-22º, and don’t crank up the  temperature, it won’t heat the room faster and it will use up more electricity.  Depending on what you are comfortable with – elderly people are usually more comfortable with a higher temperature.
• If your unit becomes sluggish or you find you are increasing the temperature up to maintain the correct warmth, then you need to check your filters.
• Filters need to be changed on a regular basis, usually at least once a month or when needed, check manufacturer’s instructions on the general maintenance and carry them out as regularly as stated in the manual.  Keeping the unit well maintain means that it will run efficiently.  Lack of maintenance results in sluggish operation which will ultimately use more electricity, lead to compressor damage, if filters and coils are not properly maintained it will reduce the air flow decreasing the units performance.
• The fan motor needs to be cleaned and lubricated; you need to check the air flow so that it operates properly.
• Check fan speed at the same time you lubricate and clean the fan motor, loose fan belts, pulley settings that are incorrect of if the motor speed in not correct all can contribute to the unit performing poorly.
• An outdoor unit needs to be protected from strong winds, winds that are strong can cause defrost problems and reduce the efficiency of the heat pump.  Be careful with outdoor units they must not be contained in a restricted area, this could result in the re circulation of the air over the coil.
• Do you have the correct size unit of heat pump for the job you with it to do?  If the unit is incorrectly sized, it will probably struggle to heat the area you wish it to heat.   Therefore look for a unit that is designed for the area or space you intend it to keep warm.
• When looking for heat pumps, search for a dealer/installer that has a good reputation, one of the problems with dealers/installers who are not reputable they will sell you a unit that is not correctly sized.
• When buying a heat pump unit also look for the energy efficiency star. You can then know that he unit is designed to operate optimally, thus using less energy and cutting carbon emissions.

Heat pumps water heater that are the correct size for the job, installed correctly and regularly maintained will give years of good service and save you money at the same time.