The advantages of using Heat Pumps
Heat Pumps are one of the most energy efficient sources to heat water. Heat pumps have several advantages over the other sources of water heating such as electric water heaters and boilers. The usual factors that are considered while purchasing an energy efficient equipment are discussed here with respect to the heat pumps.
Read: Introduction to Heat Pumps
Heat Pumps
Operational Cost
Heat Pumps have a very minimal operational cost. Let us consider heating 1000 liters of water by 30 degree Celsius. The energy required to heat 1000 liters of water by 30 degree Celsius is 30,000 Kilo Calories per hour (Obtained by multiplying the liters and the temperature rise; 1000 x 30 = 30,000). Converting Kilo Calories to KW we get 35 KW (1000 Kilo Calories = 1.16 KW).
Let us consider heating by three different sources starting with heat pump.
Heat Pump
A typical heat pump with a heating capacity of 11.2 KW will take three hours to raise the temperature by 30 degree Celsius. This heat pump consumes 2.7 Kw. In the three hours the total power consumption will be (3hours x 2.7Kw) 8.1 units. In a year, the operating cost, at Rs. 8 per unit cost of electricity (8.1 units x 365days x Rs. 8) translates to Rs. 23,652.
Electric Heater
The electric heater has a CoP of 1 and hence it consumes 35 KWh to heat the 1000 liters of water by 30 degree Celsius. In a year this translates to (35 units x 365days x Rs. 8) Rs. 1,02,200.
Diesel Boiler
The Calorific value of one liter of diesel is 9337. The number of liters of diesel required to heat 1000 liters of water is obtained by dividing the calorific value to heat 1000 liters of water (30,000/9337), which translated to 3.2 liters of diesel. In a year this costs (3.2 x Rs. 70 x 365) Rs. 81,760 at a diesel cost of Rs. 70 per liter.
Comparing all the above sources of heating, it is very clear that heat pumps are the most energy efficient.
Coefficient of Performance (CoP)
The Coefficient of performance in a heat pump is the ratio of the heating capacity to the Rated power input. Typically a CoP above one is a good sign of energy efficiency. The Heat Pumps usually have a CoP above four. The electric heaters have a Cop of one.
Ease of installation
The heat pumps are very compact and can be placed any where compared to it other counterparts. As seen in the diagram, the connection is very simple. The input water supply should be at a height of around 7 feet to have gravitational force. If a pressure pump is used, the need for water source to be placed at a height can be eliminated.
Hot Water Supply
The hot water can be obtained continuously throughout the year as the heat pumps have a intelligent digital controller that enables automatic switch On and Off based on the hot water requirement. The heat pumps run irrespective of the seasonal changes. Whether it is day or night, summer or winter or rainy season, the heat pumps run without any issue.
Durability
Heat pumps have a life span of 15 years with no or very little maintenance as long as the input water has a ppm of less than 1000. If the water has a ppm of above 1000, then a water treatment plant has to be installed.
Environmental Impact
As Heat pumps are energy efficient they save huge amount of fossil fuels being burnt thereby, reducing the carbon footprint and helping in climate change mitigation.
Return on Investment
The return on investment of heat pumps is usually around two years making it most attractive economically.
Considering all the factors above, it is very clear that the heat pumps are one of the most energy efficient source of water heating. For more details, please feel free to contact us.
