Heat Pump Hot Water Systems

What a heat pump hot water system actually is

A heat pump hot water system heats water using the warmth that’s already in the surrounding air. A fan draws air across a coil, a refrigeration cycle concentrates that warmth, and the heat is transferred into the water in the tank. Same basic principle as a fridge or an air conditioner, running in the useful direction.

The practical difference from a standard electric system is that a heat pump moves existing heat rather than generating all of it with an element, which is why it uses less electricity to heat the same water. How much less depends on the unit, the climate and how your household uses hot water.

What that means day to day

Heat pumps need airflow, so they sit outside or somewhere well ventilated, and they make some noise when running — a fan and a compressor. Placement matters more than it does with a conventional tank. They also work best heating over a longer period than in a sudden rush, which suits some households better than others.

Servicing, repairs and replacement

Because there’s a refrigeration circuit and a fan involved, a heat pump has more going on than an electric storage system. Advance Hotwater can assess a heat pump that isn’t performing, service one that’s, and handle replacement when a system reaches the end of its life. Some faults on some models sit with the manufacturer’s own service network, particularly where a unit is still under warranty — if that’s the case we’ll tell you and point you the right way.