Victoria Gutierrez, Head of Marketing at Ariston, looks at one of the most accessible forms of water heating technology – the air source heat pump water heater – and explains how units can be fitted into existing properties.
2022 is set to be another year where sustainability is at the forefront of heating and hot water technology. However, as new technologies become commonplace, what is the best option available when it comes to providing domestic hot water?
Following a brief dalliance a few years ago, it became apparent that not all properties in the UK were suitable for, or compatible with, solar DHW. This was attributed to either inadequate roof areas, buildings facing the wrong direction to gain enough solar energy, or simply being uneconomical to install. Fortunately, another sustainable option was soon realised, in the form of heat pumps.
Thanks to their versatility and adaptability, air source units have become the most popular type of heat pump available. After all, they have excellent co-efficients of performance (COP), plus they require very little maintenance and are easier to install than ground source alternatives.
One of the reasons behind the popularity of air source heat pump units is they can be easily integrated into existing properties. They are both exceptionally sustainable and versatile when it comes to different types of building as, once installed, they are usually capable of functioning completely automatically. Unlike gas and oil products, heat pump technology delivers heat at lower temperatures over longer periods of time, boosting efficiency while lowering running costs.
As a result, manufacturers are now looking to utilise air source heat pump technology while focussing solely on renewable hot water production. Modern ‘adapted technologies’ of this nature enable more properties – including those in off-gas areas and also in light commercial settings – to integrate renewable heating technologies and use them effectively, without having to invest in larger products.
When it comes to the latest sustainable technology, Ariston is leading the way, having developed the Nuos Plus Wi-Fi: a heat pump water heater that combines air source technology with an unvented cylinder. This enables quick and efficient hot water delivery, coupled with a high COP (up to 3.14) – culminating in a viable alternative to traditional electric storage water heaters. Furthermore, units can be sited with ease, as well as help reduce household utility costs.
These heat pump water heaters feature an evaporator, compressor, condenser and an expansion valve. When the unit is operating, a refrigerant fluid crosses the evaporator, absorbing heat from air that has been drawn in by a fan. This process ensures that the refrigerant evaporates, engaging the compressor to increase the pressure of the refrigerant gas, causing its temperature to rise. Inside the condenser, the refrigerant gas then passes its heat to the water held within the cylinder. This exchange process ensures that the refrigerant starts to return to its original liquid state by condensing and, once it has passed through the expansion valve, the refrigerant fluid loses further pressure and returns it to its formative state.
Professionals will find the ‘plug and play’ principles of heat pump water heaters greatly beneficial for retrofit projects. Plus, there is no need for F-Gas qualifications. Units either need to be fitted to an exhaust duct or adequately ventilated in a room with a volume of no less than 30m3. If an air exhaust and/or extraction duct is present, this must have access to the outside from the point where the unit is installed.
The heat pump water heater can then be connected to the appropriate electric and hydraulic systems, as well as the necessary condensate drainage outlet. The unit needs to remain in a vertical position at all times, with the required space left around it as stipulated in the installation instructions.
Furthermore, in terms of controllability (especially in the case of the Nuos Plus Wi-Fi), intelligent, built-in software is available to learn users’ water usage habits, before automatically creating a pre-heating schedule. So, having spent seven days learning, the unit can then use the data acquired to implement a completely bespoke, intelligent heating programme. This ensures water is always available when required, without unnecessarily wasting energy (or water).
So, as the industry sets on the pathway towards a sustainable future, there are now water heating technologies available that can be integrated into existing systems with ease. Not only does this keep things simple from an installation perspective, it also keeps end users happy – both in terms of usability and ensuring their properties remain energy efficient.
For further information on the Ariston Nuos Plus Wi-Fi heat pump water heater visit https://www.ariston.com/en-uk/
