FEATURES 25
Turn up the heat
Compiled by
Tanya Olckers
How do you help your customers save money and get the best out of the water heating systems available ? We take a look at heat pumps and thermal and photovoltaic water heaters .
Hot water . For some it would seem that this is the pinnacle of a civilised society . However , with loadshedding and now water shedding , getting that hot water to consumers is not quite as straightforward as it used to be .
Consumers are not just looking for a way to get around the loadshedding , but they are also looking for ways to save on money .
There are a few ways to do this .
Heat pumps Heat pumps are environmentally friendly as they don ’ t rely on fossil fuels . These pumps convert energy that is stored in the air , water or below ground into heating energy . Essentially , they work by moving heat from one area to another .
When combined with a domestic hot water cylinder , they can also get a reliable hot water supply to the home . And one of the bonuses is that the natural elements it needs in order to function – air , water and ground – are readily available .
The heat pump system is excellent when it comes to cost savings as it generally uses less energy than regular heating systems . Plus , it ’ s versatile – providing heating and cooling – ensuring that your clients are nice and cosy in the winter and cool and refreshed in the summer . Customers are also keen on the fact that it uses renewable heat sources and consumes less energy , making it a greener solution to keeping the house warm – or cool .
How heat pumps work A heat pump uses energy from the environment and converts it into heat for your home . First , the heat energy present in water , the ground , outdoor air or extract air is transferred to a refrigerant via a heat exchanger ( evaporator ). With the aid of a compressor , the refrigerant boosts this energy to a higher temperature level , making it suitable , via another heat exchanger ( condenser ), for the heating system or DHW heating .
Hamann . “ A heat pump system is highly efficient and the heat it supplies to your home is carbon neutral . This makes it fit for the future as well as an excellent choice today .”
David Crawley of Electrolux adds , “ Solar uses the energy directly from the sun to heat the water . The stronger the sun and the hotter it is , the hotter the water . Heat pumps use the ambient air as an energy source and are not directly reliant on the sun . They can heat the water quicker than solar .”
Both systems circulate the water between the geyser and the heat source .
The downside is that a heat pump requires electrical power – and therefore won ' t work during loadshedding .
“ Neither of the systems are easy to install ,” says Crawley , “ The plumber will need training . Most systems that don ' t work properly are a result of incorrect installations .”
Heat pumps can be applied to domestic , commercial and industrial use as follows :
• Domestic : Heat pumps are commonly used in homes for space heating , cooling and hot water production , and especially for this case , integrated hot water heat pumps work the best .
• Commercial : Heat pumps are suitable for various commercial buildings including offices , retail spaces and hotels , providing efficient heating , cooling and hot water solutions .
• Industrial : In industrial settings , heat pumps can be used for process heating , space conditioning , and industrial water heating , offering energy-efficient solutions for large-scale operations .
Solar thermal water heaters Solar thermal systems consist of a set of collectors on the roof connected to a solar cylinder ( containing your home ’ s hot water supply ) via pipework .
Before installing heat pumps , there are a few considerations . “ The climate of your location affects the efficiency of heat pumps ,” says Ingo Hamann , Stiebel-Eltron , “ Some models perform better in colder climates than others .”
The next thing to look at is the size of the building and the insulation . To get the most out of a heat pump , it is essential to know what you are dealing with in terms of size . Cost comes into it , too . It may be more costly to install a heat pump when compared to conventional heating systems , it ’ s worth remembering that long term energy savings will offset that initial investment .
“ Whether you are modernising an older building or undertaking a new build , suitable heat pumps are available for almost every kind of home ,” says
Supplied by Stiebel-Eltron
Heat pump for domestic use .
May 2024 Volume 30 I Number 3 www . plumbingafrica . co . za