DOMESTIC HOT WATER
Integrated heat pump cylinders – making the diff erence
Integrated heat pump cylinders are becoming increasingly popular as a highly effi cient way to generate domestic hot water. Pete Armstrong, chief executive of Mixergy, explains
A
n integrated heat pump cylinder is a hot water storage unit combined with a heat pump. The heat pump generates heat to
warm the water in the cylinder by extracting energy from the surrounding air, making it a highly energy-effi cient solution for water heating. These systems are increasingly popular in the UK due to their ability to improve a property’s energy performance, achieving a high Coeffi cient of Performance (CoP) of three to four, meaning for every unit of electricity used, three to four units of heat are generated. They are especially useful for retrofi tting in homes that may struggle to meet the requirements for a complete heat pump installation. Integrated heat pump cylinders also help improve EPC (Energy Performance Certifi cate) ratings, making them attractive to social landlords aiming to reduce the carbon footprint and energy costs of their housing stock.
A product with a diff erence
The Mixergy iHP X stands out in the market for several reasons. Unlike traditional integrated heat pump cylinders that heat water from the bottom up, taking hours to deliver usable hot water, this off ering uses patented technology to heat water from the top down. This approach ensures that
heat pump unit has a 5-year warranty. ¡ Smart controls: It can be controlled via an app, allowing users to schedule water heating, boost the system when needed, and integrate with smart tariffs to heat water when electricity is cheapest. ¡ It also works seamlessly with solar PV systems, enabling households to use free solar energy to heat water. ¡ No F-Gas certification required: Unlike other systems, it does not require installers to have F-Gas certification because the refrigerant is sealed within the heat pump module. Installers only need a G3 Unvented certificate, making the system accessible more qualified professionals.
only the required amount of water is heated, allowing usable hot water to be available in under 30 minutes.
The solution also achieves exceptional energy
performance, due to its plate heat exchanger, which provides highly effi cient heat transfer.
It
is equipped with smart controls and machine learning capabilities, which adapt the heating process to the household’s hot water needs, further improving effi ciency and reducing energy waste.
Features and benefi ts
The solution comes with a range of features that offer significant benefits to both homeowners and installers: ¡ Smart water heating: boost only the amount of water needed is heated. This approach saves energy and ensures that water heats up quickly, reducing waiting times and cutting down on unnecessary heat loss. ¡ Energy efficiency: In day-to-day mode, the whole cylinder is heated to make the most of the heat pump. Its energy performance is best-in- class, with the plate heat exchanger in the heat pump achieving exceptional heat transfer. ¡ Modular design: The modularity of the system makes it easier to transport, install, and maintain. The separate units allow for easier servicing, and individual components can be repaired or replaced, extending the product’s life cycle. The cylinder comes with a 25-year warranty, and the
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Supporting the National Grid with demand-side response
This solution could play an important role in helping balance the National Grid through demand-side response (DSR). As more renewable energy sources such as wind and solar come online, the grid increasingly needs systems that can absorb excess energy during periods of low demand or surplus generation. The cylinders are designed to support this by functioning like thermal batteries. When there is excess energy in the grid, particularly during off-peak times or when renewable energy is abundant, the cylinder can ‘charge’ by heating water, taking advantage of cheaper, cleaner electricity. According to a report by the Hot Water Association, hot water cylinders can shift up to 23 GWh of energy demand to off-peak times, reducing the strain on the National Grid and helping to integrate more renewable energy sources. By connecting the cylinders to the grid through
an API, the system monitors the grid’s frequency and automatically activates immersion heaters when the grid has surplus energy. This process helps to stabilise the grid while ensuring homes have ample hot water stored at times when energy is cheapest and greenest. This innovation is a key step in supporting the UK’s transition to a low-carbon future and aligns with the goals of the Future Homes Standard.
www.heatingandventilating.net
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