Heat pumps 101: All you need to know about heat pumps

Did you know that you can save up to 50% on your electric bill?

In many households, the hot water system (geyser) contributes to about 50% of the overall electric bill. Whether you aim to significantly lower your electricity costs, transition off-grid, or simply contribute to environmental conservation, installing a heat pump as a solution can assist you in reaching your objective.

How do they work?

In short : A heat pump operates by taking heat from the outdoor environment and transferring it into your home, functioning as an energy-efficient water heating system.

Heat pumps use a refrigeration cycle to extract energy from the surrounding air (indirectly using solar energy) which can provide you with piping hot water day and night, winter and summer at a fraction of the cost of electrical geyser element heating.

What Size Will Work with My Geyser?

When choosing a heat pump, consider factors like your family’s hot water usage habits, desired temperature, and geyser insulation to ensure you select the most suitable option.

To determine the suitable size of a water heating heat pump for your family, consider the following factors:

1. 1. Family size: More people mean more hot water demand.

   
   

   2. Water usage habits: Frequent showers, baths, or washing dishes by hand increase demand.

   
   

   3. Desired temperature: Higher temperatures require more energy.

   
   

   4. Geyser insulation: Well-insulated geysers reduce heat loss.

A general rule of thumb is to provide 50-75 liters of hot water per person per day. As a guide, see below:

• • Small family (1-2 people): 150-200 liters

  
  

  • Medium family (3-4 people): 200-300 liters

  
  

  • Large family (5-6 people): 300-400 liters

For a more accurate calculation, consider the following:

• • Peak hour demand: Calculate the maximum hot water usage during peak hours (e.g., morning and evening).

  
  

  • Total daily demand: Estimate the total daily hot water usage.

Here’s a general guideline for heat pump sizing based on geyser capacity:

• • 150L Geyser: 2.5-3.5kW heat pump

  
  

  • 200L Geyser: 3.5-4.5kW heat pump

  
  

  • 250L Geyser: 4.5-5.5kW heat pump

  
  

  • 300L Geyser: 5.5-6.5kW heat pump

  
  

  • 400L Geyser: 7-8kW heat pump

  
  

  • 500L Geyser: 8-10kW heat pump

Potential Cost Savings

Here are some estimated annual savings based on average South African households:

• • Small Family (1-3 people):

    • • Current heating cost: R5,000 – R8,000 per year

      
      

      • Heat pump savings: R2,000 – R4,000 per year (40% – 50% savings)

  
  

  • Medium Family (4-6 people):

    • • Current heating cost: R8,000 – R12,000 per year

      
      

      • Heat pump savings: R3,500 – R6,000 per year (43% – 50% savings)

  
  

  • Large Family (7-10 people):

    • • Current heating cost: R12,000 – R18,000 per year

      
      

      • Heat pump savings: R5,500 – R9,000 per year (45% – 50% savings)

Assumptions:

• • Average electricity tariff: R2.00 – R2.50 per kWh

  
  

  • Heat pump efficiency: 3.5 – 4.5 COP (Coefficient of Performance)

  
  

  • Usage patterns: 8 hours of heating and 8 hours of cooling per day

Please be aware that these estimates are approximate and may differ based on your individual circumstances/needs.

For more details, please contact us at info@powerenergy.co.za or give us a call on 013 750 2676.