*Based on the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol ratified in October 2019. Ministry for the Environment. 2017. 7. Wellington: Ministry for the Environment.
The R410A Phasedown
As a result of this phasedown, we are seeing refrigerants with lower GWP (in particular R32) in many air conditioners and hot water heat pumps. It won’t stop there, that’s just the interim refrigerant before moving to natural gases, including some controversial flammable gases such as Propane.
We do have an option that is here already, CO2 refrigerant. It is a natural gas. It is what we breathe out into the atmosphere and it's what feeds plants to grow. CO2 can also be used as a naturally occurring, non-flammable and stable refrigerant fluid solution for hot water heat pumps.
It is non-toxic (at reasonable concentrations) and with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1, it is also the base refrigerant that all other refrigerants GWP numbers are based on and will future-proof the way homes and businesses heat water.
Mitsubishi Electric CO2 Hot Water Heat Pumps are Leading the Way
It's a progressive move for most manufacturers to change refrigerant to a lower GWP - Mitsubishi Electric has already begun to take the lead with hot water heat pumps utilising CO2 refrigerant.
Ecodan QUHZ Hot Water Heat Pump for Domestic Potable Hot Water and Space Heating
The QUHZ Ecodan is an advanced hot water heat pump that can provide both domestic hot water as well as supply hydronic space heating through radiators or underfloor heating.
Utilising CO2 as a natural refrigerant, it is the number one environmental choice for domestic hot water heating and an alternative to gas and direct electric systems.
The Ecodan QUHZ Hot Water Heat Pump is revolutionising central heating and domestic hot water technology in New Zealand.
Ideal for New Build Townhouses due to Low Noise Operation
With space often being a premium on new build development sites, Ecodan QUHZ will operate discreetly where dwellings are in close proximity to each other. The QUHZ Outdoor unit provides very quiet operation as low as 43dBA (SPL).*2
Specific outdoor unit design features enable quiet operation to be maintained in all modes of operation and all ambient conditions as well as allows improved flexibility for the installation locations. The Ecodan QUHZ will help residential areas that are particularly sensitive to outdoor noise to benefit from renewable heating technology.
A Smart Move for Developers
Not only is the outdoor unit quiet, the compact indoor cylinder provides the equivalent of 250L of hot water using plate heat exchanger technology drawing heat from the 200L thermal store. Separated from the stored water, instant production of hot water means there is no risk of legionella while achieving up to 70°C domestic hot water.
In addition, the QUHZ can heat the whole home easily with temperatures up to 60°C for radiators or underfloor heating. With combined domestic hot water, the QUHZ is the low carbon footprint option for new homes. By future proofing and adding value to the property, it is the number one choice for developers, architects and builders alike.
QUHZ Key Features
- Rated domestic hot water mode capacity 5kW*1
- High efficiency domestic hot water production COP=3.7*1
- Class leading low noise operation at 43dBA outdoor unit *2
- Energy monitoring as standard
- No stored water draw, no risk of legionella
- Pre-plumbed and wired for faster installation
- No refrigerant pipework into the house, water connections only
QAHV is the Commercial Solution for Generating High Temperature, High Volume Hot Water
There’s usually an argument to say that heat pumps can’t produce the higher temperatures that gas boilers can achieve, but with CO2 refrigerant, temperatures up to 90°C can be produced in ambient outdoor temperatures as low as -25°C.
The high discharge temperature from compressing the CO2 gas means we can now achieve high temperatures and achieve high efficiency because the CO2 refrigeration cycle works best with a large temperature difference. For sanitary hot water production this technology is the way forward, to be able to reach high temperatures for wash downs, leisure facilities, potable hot water and for the industry to seriously meet carbon reduction targets. QAHV is certainly the solution.
QAHV Key Features
- Rated Heating Capacity of 40kW
- High efficiency (Achieved COP 3.88*3 )
- Supplies high temperature hot water of up to 90°C
- Operable even at low out door temperature of -25°C
- Utilises natural CO2 refrigerant which has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1
- Uses a unique twisted and spiral gas cooler to enhance energy efficiency
- Compact dimensions, minimising plant space
- 16 units can be grouped together to form a bank of 640kW rated heating capacity
The Shift to CO2 is Happening Now
We will see more CO2 hot water heating products in the future and these products will no doubt become the norm for generating potable hot water and efficiently heating our homes.
Reach out to your local Sales Representative to learn more about the Ecodan Range of CO2 Hot Water Heat Pumps.
*1 Under heating conditions; outdoor temperature 7ºC, water outlet temperature 65ºC, inlet water temperature 15°C.
*2 Measured at 1m from the outdoor unit.
*3 Under heating conditions; outdoor temperature 16ºC, water outlet temperature 65ºC, water inlet temperature 17°C.