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Energy Efficient Heat Pumps at Hobsonville Point
The Econergy heat pump water heaters have been independently tested as the best on the New Zealand market by Consumer. Hobsonville Point has a strong focus on sustainable living for all new houses being built. All new homes require a Homestar rating of 5 or more stars. Installing a heat pump water heater is one of the chief components that can be used to achieve this rating.
The Econergy Solution
A heat pump water heater works using the "same" energy saving technology as a standard heat pump. It uses electricity to take energy from the ambient air and transfers it into the water at a much higher temperature. However the unique single-pass operation of the Econergy heat pump using its speed controlled pump and advanced software and monitoring deliver both excellent performance as well as a higher quality of hot water deliver. It reduces the home’s energy consumption, lowering the owner’s power bill and improves the Homestar rating that the building can achieve.
The Technical Comparison
Conventional hot water cylinders typically use 1 unit of electricity to produce 1 unit of heat. The amount of energy a heat pump is able to produce from 1 unit of electricity is reflected by its COP (Coefficient of Performance). An Econergy heat pump water heater is able to use 1 unit of energy to generate 3.76 units of heat. This COP has been independently tested and is based on the heat pumps performance at an average air temperature of 15°C and delivering 60°C hot water. A general average air temperature for the New Zealand climate is 15°C, and a hot water temperature of 60°C is necessary to prevent water contamination from Legionella bacteria. The Econergy heat pump water heaters have been independently tested as the best on the New Zealand market by Consumer. Econergy heat pumps also provide a fast recovery time of 67L per hour using the same parameters as the COP.
The Econergy heat pump has a backup element in the cylinder for such a as a failure that's separate from the heat pump electronics so the end user has control. Integrated systems require the heat pump electronics to be operational leaving the end use with cold water when there is a problem.
Good Looking and Versitile
The heat pump featured in our photos has been installed at Hobsonville Point. It demonstrates the Econergy heat pump tucked away at the side of the house because it is separate from the hot water cylinder. Many heat pump water heaters are constructed as a big bulky single unit on top of a hot water cylinder that can be seen over the top of most fences.
Using another strategy that makes the heat pump more discrete, on request they are available in black to blend in with the houses they are fitted to. For even greater energy efficiency and savings, the Econergy heat pump water heater can also be used with a wetback or solar. These heat pumps are designed and built in New Zealand, providing the highest durability for our conditions, and has full heat pump operation right down to -5°C without boosting from an electric element.
For even greater energy efficiency and savings, the Econergy heat pump water heater can also be used with a wetback or solar. These heat pumps are designed and built in New Zealand, providing the highest durability for our conditions,and has full heat pump operation right down to -5°C without boosting from an electric element.