In this day and age, we are all being told to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions for the welfare of the beautiful planet we live on. We need to sustain this planet for our future generations. One way is to look for environmentally friendly options for our hot water systems. You may already be aware of solar hot water systems, which are a wonderful, environmentally friendly option but have large initial installation costs; however, many of us are unaware of using a heat pump as a renewable form of energy.

A heat pump uses renewable energy to heat water to cater for your hot water needs. Heat pumps only use one-third of the energy of an electric hot water system and will end up saving you heaps of money. In addition to this, rebates are also available, meaning they might just be the most economical option for you.

Mechanism of action

In the simplest form, heat pumps transfer heat from the air outside the hot water unit to the water that is stored inside through a system called the heat exchange system. This principle of operation is the same as that of a refrigerator. In the case of a refrigerator, air is pumped out to keep the contents of the fridge cool. However, in a heat pump, the opposite happens. Refrigerant is pumped through the system using electricity; in doing so, it transfers heat absorbed from the air to the water inside.

So, even if it's absolutely chilly outside (e.g., -5 degrees Celsius), the heat pump will still be making hot water for your home. A very nifty system!

Points to consider

Heat pumps will work best for those living in an area with warm temperatures throughout the year. So, if you reside in where temperatures are low on average, then heat pumps may not be the best option for you. Colder climates will require an additional booster for your heat pump and the compressor will have a longer run time resulting in increased system costs and energy consumption. 

Moreover, heat pumps need to be installed where there is a good amount of air space in order for the heat pump to function effectively. You also need to consider maintenance costs. Although heat pumps will save you money in the long run, you will need to ensure they are well-maintained. 

As always, also employ additional strategies to lower your water heating bill.