Heat Pump Hot Water Systems

Heat pump water heaters became quite common in Australia during recent years. The increasing popularity of heat pumps is due to these units’ incredible benefits and effective heat transferring mechanism. Keep reading to learn more about heat pump hot water units and how they can benefit your household.

Heat Pump Hot Water Heaters

Unlike most other hot water system types, heat pumps heat water by absorbing heat from the air and transferring it to the water.

Heat pumps work on electricity, but they are not electric water heaters per se, and heat pumps are much more energy efficient than conventional electrical units. A heat pump’s running costs and greenhouse gas emissions are also much lower than that of the average electric water heater.

The Heating Process

1. A liquid refrigerant becomes a gas refrigerant by passing through an evaporator picking up warmth from the air.

2. The heat pump then compresses the gas refrigerant, causing its temperature to rise.

3. The heated gas then transfers heat to the water by flowing into a condenser. After the heat transfer, the refrigerant assumes a liquid form again.

4. The liquid refrigerant then flows into an expansion valve. The result is a release in pressure and a decrease in the refrigerant’s temperature.

5. The cooled refrigerant passes through the evaporator again to absorb heat from the air and repeats the process.

Since the heat pump absorbs heat from the air, it will do a better job of heating water if the air outside the pump is warmer than the cold refrigerant. If you live in a colder climate, you can, however, use a heat pump with a specific design to heat your water.

Heat Pump Types

There are two types of heat pumps available, namely:

– Integrated systems that consist of a compressor and storage tank as a single unit. These systems are sometimes called compact systems

– Split systems that consist of a storage tank and compressor as two separate units

Pros and Cons

Heat pump water heaters solve many problems that you get with electric water heating units. They offer a wide range of benefits, but they also have a few drawbacks.

Pros

– Low running costs
– Easy and affordable installation
– No direct heat generation means more energy efficiency
– Easy maintenance and routine repairs

Cons

– The unit has to be installed outdoors or in well-ventilated areas
– Hot water pumps tend to be noisy
– Not suitable for off-grid use

Is a Heat Pump Water Heater Suitable for You?

If you have access to electricity and prefer low running costs and high energy efficiency, a heat pump is a viable option to deliver hot water to your household. Heat pumps also typically have a long lifespan of up to 15 years, which is five years longer than the average life expectancy of an electric or gas water heater.

Contact Hot Water Systems Sydney

Hot Water Systems Sydney provides high-quality heat pump installation, repair and service solutions to property owners in Sydney. If you feel that a heat pump is a suitable water heater for your household, contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.