As we get towards winter, you could start contemplating updating your old boiler with something completely different. Let's be honest, central heating boilers are usually big, cranky, temperamental things that are no friend to the environment. However, we're in the twenty-first century, and you will find a huge selection of sustainable energy products to select from. That being said, have you considered investing in some sort of eco friendly hot water system, like a hybrid heat pump?
The hybrid heat pump is a setup which brings together a normal heat pump with a water storage tank, so it can heat the water for your home in a brand new way. It happens to be solar-powered, however it is a whole different type of solar technology compared to the panels you get on your roof. Fundamentally, it works like this - the heat pump system makes use of all of the energy in the air to heat your water. Which means that it doesn't require the sunlight, unlike solar panels. Which means it's effective even in wet, cloudy conditions - making it excellent for winter! After it's taken the energy in, it's actually stored by a refrigerant, which then is transformed from a liquid to a gas. After the gas is pressurised, it produces the heat that goes straight into your water tank, and there you are - domestic hot water when you want it.
Why are hybrid heat pumps so different to solar power solutions? Well, for starters there's no need for solar panels, as pointed out above. Residential solar panels are often tricky things to deal with - along with only working on sunny days, you'll be faced with the concern that something could block your sunlight and stop your solar power panels working. Of course, nothing is putting your property in the shade when you install your panels, but what's going to stop someone constructing a five storey house next to yours? If you've got residential solar panels cover from the sun means problems. Even something as basic as how your roof is aligned might stop your panels working correctly.
One other big difference is that you won't need some kind of back-up or boosting with a hybrid heat pump. The temperamental nature of the Australian climate will mean that everyone using residential solar panels has to have a back-up, and with droughts, floods and cyclones to contend with Australia can be rather unpredictable! The level of back-up you'll need may differ - you could get a back-up generator or you might use expensive battery packs. There's also a third option in that you're able to get connected to the electricity grid and use that source of electricity if needed, but also supply electric power back when you are able.
That might sound like the perfect option, but even this will have its disadvantages. The local utility provider may not agree with it, there can be government regulations that forbid it and the buy-back price may not be that great. Plus, you'll need special equipment. If there's a power cut, it's possible that your system could keep feeding into a line which the energy company thinks is down - obviously, that will be dangerous! As a result, that is more specialist kit you'll need to have.
How about heat pumps? Simple - you don't have to have any back up option. This system operates 24 / 7, hot or cold weather, even down to freezing temperatures. Which makes them considerably more dependable, and just in case you needed some reassurance, the very best systems on the market feature a guarantee of up to 15 years.
There you have it - heat pump systems are going to be as valuable an option for our environment as solar power panels, but are much less problematic to setup, much more reliable and work in just about any conditions. Solar panels were an excellent advancement, as well as a huge leap forward in the renewable energy sector, but it looks like technology has progressed again and heat pump systems may possibly be the power source of the future. If you happen to think that the most environmentally friendly hot water Gold Coast homes have seen could be what you're looking for, you'll find there's plenty more facts and information on the net.
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