Heat pump water heaters with a comparison to solar domestic water heaters
A heat pump water heater (HPWH) is a conservation water heating system for new and retrofit residential and commercial applications. There are two generic types of HPWHs: a stand-alone appliance-type heat pump unit plumbed to a conventional water tank, and an integral heat pump/water tank unit with the heat pump installed on top of the tank. Both types are installed independently of the space conditioning equipment. In each case, the heat pump draws in air, extracts heat from it, and uses this to heat the tank water. A byproduct of the system is cool, dehumidified air discharge. Depending on the season of the year, the geographical area, and the building location of the HPWH, the overall system efficiency is increased or decreased by cooling effects on the space-conditioning load. Since HPWHs do not operate below 7/sup 0/C (45 F) and have no freeze protection, the preferred installation location is an unconditioned building space, such as a basement, crawl space, or utility room. HPWHs have become commercially available in the past year and cost under $1,000 installed. At least manufacturers plan to market HPWHs within the next 6 to 12 months.
- Research Organization:
- Solar Energy Research Inst. Golden, CO
- OSTI ID:
- 6284869
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-820112-
- Journal Information:
- ASHRAE Trans.; (United States), Journal Name: ASHRAE Trans.; (United States) Vol. 88; ISSN ASHTA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140907 -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Water Heating
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
320104 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Commercial & Industrial Buildings-- (-1987)
APPLIANCES
BUILDINGS
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COOLING LOAD
EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
HEAT PUMPS
HEATERS
HEATING
PERFORMANCE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RETROFITTING
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
SPACE HEATING
VARIATIONS
WATER HEATERS