PlumbingAfrica_May_2024_digital Plumbing Africa | Page 27

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