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Solar Heat Pumps Newcastle

What is a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps have been likened to a refrigerator operating in reverse. Everyone would have noticed that their household refrigerator generates a lot of heat around the compressor. This heat is a by-product of the cooling process and is harmlessly dissipated into the surrounding air. Heat pumps utilise similar refrigerator technology, the difference being the heat is transferred into the storage tank, with the by-product being cool air, i.e. the reverse of the household fridge.

Heat pumps are considered solar water heaters because they are extracting heat from the air surrounding the unit and passing it into the stored water; the air gains its heat from the sun. Whilst heat pumps operate on electricity they are very efficient – often around 3 times – when compared to an electric or gas water heater.  Heat Pumps have the advantage of not requiring solar collectors, and can be positioned almost anywhere around the house.  As they are not directly reliant on the sun for energy they can operate 24hrs/day.

Our preferred brand is the Stiebel Eltron heat pump which is proven to be one of the most efficient water pumps on the market.  Stiebel Eltron are a renowned German company offering 80 years of experience developing energy saving products while providing the highest standards of comfort and safety.

Stiebel Eltron's electric hot water pumps offer the most energy efficiency ratings: an energy consumption reduction of up to 70% compared to conventional hot water electric systems in Australia. Our heat pumps are extremely versatile, they can be installed indoors and outdoors and work in lower temperatures.

How the Stiebel Eltron Heat Pump works:

1)  A fan draws air through an evaporator.  Thermal energy within the air is transferred to a liquid refrigerant causing it to change into a gas.

2)  The refrigerant gas is then drawn into a compressor which increases the pressure and as a result increases the temperature.

3)  A condenser (heat exchanger) then transpoprts gas refrigerant around the outside of the water tank.  This heats the water inside the tank and the gaseous refrigerant reverts back into a liquid.  

4)  The refrigerant pressure is reduced again in the expansion valve.