The Difference Between Heat Pump Systems And Solar Power

When we get to the winter season, you might start thinking about upgrading your old boiler with something completely different. Let's be honest, boilers are usually big, cranky, unpredictable machines that aren't very environmentally friendly. However, it's the twenty-first century, and you'll find a wide variety of greener energy solutions to choose between. With that in mind, have you thought about getting some sort of eco-friendly water heating system, such as a hybrid heat pump?

 

A hybrid heat pump is actually a setup that brings together a normal heat pump with a water storage tank, in order to heat water in a completely new way. It is actually solar-powered, but it is a completely different type of solar technology compared to the individual panels you see on the roof. Basically, how it works is this - the hybrid heat pump uses all of the energy in the air to provide you with hot water. As a result it doesn't require sunlight, unlike solar panel products. That means it's effective even in rainy, gloomy conditions - so it will be perfect for winter! Once it's drawn the energy in, it's actually stored by a type of refrigerant, that then transforms from  a liquid to a gas state. When the gas is pressurised, it makes the heat that goes directly into your storage tank, and there you are - domestic hot water any time you want it.

 

Why are hybrid heat pumps so different to solar-powered solutions? Well, to start with you won't require solar panels, as pointed out above. Solar panel products can be difficult systems to manage - in addition to working only on days with sunshine, there's going to be the worry that something may perhaps obstruct your sunshine and therefore stop the solar panels working. Sure, nothing is putting your house in the shade at the time you install the solar panels, but what's going to stop someone constructing a 6 storey property next door to yours? If you've got solar panels cover from the sun equates to problems. You might even find that something as basic as how your roof is aligned can stop your solar panels working properly.

 

Another major difference is that you're not going to need any kind of boost or backup when you're using a hybrid heat pump. The changeable nature of our climate means that anybody using solar power systems is going to need some sort of back up option, and with cyclones, floods and droughts to deal with Australia can be fairly unpredictable! The level of back up option you'll need varies - it's possible to have a back-up generator or you could use expensive batteries. There's also a third option where you'll be able to connect to the electricity grid and use that source of electricity when needed, as well as provide electrical power back when you're able to.

 

That might appear to be the ideal solution, yet even this will have its own pitfalls. The local power provider may not agree with it, there could possibly be government directives which don't allow it and then the buyback price may not be that great. Plus, you will need special equipment. If there's a power outage, it's possible that your system would keep sending power to a line the power company believes is down - needless to say, that is going to be dangerous! So, that's more specialist kit you'll need.

 

And heat pumps? Simple - you won't need to have any sort of back-up. The system operates night and day, hot and cold, even down to freezing temperatures. Which makes them a lot more reliable, and should you wanted an extra bit of reassurance, the top systems on the market include a guarantee of as much as Fifteen years. 

 

There you go, hybrid heat pumps are going to be as valuable an option for our environment as solar panels, but they are significantly less problematic to set up, far more dependable and even function in any conditions. Solar energy panels were a terrific development, and a huge step forward in the alternative energy sector, but it looks like times have progressed once more and heat pumps may perhaps end up being the energy source for the future. If you believe the most eco friendly hot water Gold Coast homes have seen could possibly be what you need, there's plenty more information and advice on the web.