FEATURES
45
A heated
discussion
on heat pumps
The water heat pump market is growing from the requirement that
50% of energy in developments derive from alternative energy
sources, stipulated by SANS standard 10400-XA. Rising demand for
energy-efficient buildings and innovative water heaters is negating
the need for traditional energy-guzzling geysers.
By Eamonn Ryan
Heat pumps use substantially less electricity to heat
water than do resistance heaters such as geysers –
by how much, depends on their particular technol-
ogy. All heat pumps have to declare their coefficient
of performance (COP). In South Africa, because of
high ambient temperatures of the surrounding air,
an air source is used to heat water, whereas in many
northern hemisphere countries, they draw heat from
many other sources.
Mines are major adopters of heat pump technology. The 20-
year lifespan of heat pumps and modular design means that
when a mine runs out of ore, it can simply lift the heat pump
and relocate it at another mine. Mines utilise extremely large
heat pumps due to the demand for substantial volumes of hot
water in their staff shower-houses.
Heat pumps come in two forms: as a split pump with an
external attachment to the tank; or an integrated pump
where the two are combined. In a residence where there is
August 2019 Volume 25 I Number 6
James Vermeulen, Electrolux product manager: Green
Energy, says any need for changes to the design of a
building to accommodate heat pumps, stem from their
requirement for good ventilation to function – preferably
on a roof. If anywhere else, such as a duct, provision has
to be made for adequate ventilation, or the system will not
work. “Without ventilation, the outgoing air will be the same
temperature as ingoing.”
In what is one of the largest such projects in the country, seven HW80-3s were installed
at the Sun City Main Hotel, six HW20-3s at the Cascades Hotel, two HW60-3s at the
Sun City Cabanas and three HWW80-3s at the Palace of the Lost City.
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