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Summary

Heat Pump Water Heaters for Commercial Kitchens

Water Heater for Commercial Kitchens: Heat Pump vs. Conventional Electric

Heat pump water heater or reverse cycle chiller designed for use in commercial kitchens.

Synopsis:

Heat pump water heaters that provide up to 160 degree water are now available.  Commercial kitchens typically have booster heaters in their dishwashers to electrically boost the temperature from 120 degrees to 140 degrees.  This hot water demand can be accomplished more efficiently with heat pump technology.  Conservative energy savings for hot water are on the order of 20%.

The heat pump technology removes heat from the air in the space where the water heater is located, and transfers that heat to the water via a refrigeration circuit.  A side benefit is that this provides some 'free' cooling to the space.

This technology could also be considered for other high water use occupancies, such as nursing homes, apartments, and hotels.  With the introduction of the 160 degree models, this technology could replace all electric resistance water heaters.  A careful design balancing the recovery rate with storage capacity is required.

Energy Savings: 50%
Energy Savings Rating: Extensive Assessment  What's this?
LevelStatusDescription
1Concept not validatedClaims of energy savings may not be credible due to lack of documentation or validation by unbiased experts.
2Concept validated:An unbiased expert has validated efficiency concepts through technical review and calculations based on engineering principles.
3Limited assessmentAn unbiased expert has measured technology characteristics and factors of energy use through one or more tests in typical applications with a clear baseline.
4Extensive assessmentAdditional testing in relevant applications and environments has increased knowledge of performance across a broad range of products, applications, and system conditions.
5Comprehensive analysisResults of lab and field tests have been used to develop methods for reliable prediction of performance across the range of intended applications.
6Approved measureProtocols for technology application are established and approved.

Status:

Details

Heat Pump Water Heaters for Commercial Kitchens

Water Heater for Commercial Kitchens: Heat Pump vs. Conventional Electric

Heat pump water heater or reverse cycle chiller designed for use in commercial kitchens.
Item ID: 292
Sector: Commercial
Energy System: Water Heating--Water Heaters

Synopsis:

Heat pump water heaters that provide up to 160 degree water are now available.  Commercial kitchens typically have booster heaters in their dishwashers to electrically boost the temperature from 120 degrees to 140 degrees.  This hot water demand can be accomplished more efficiently with heat pump technology.  Conservative energy savings for hot water are on the order of 20%.

The heat pump technology removes heat from the air in the space where the water heater is located, and transfers that heat to the water via a refrigeration circuit.  A side benefit is that this provides some 'free' cooling to the space.

This technology could also be considered for other high water use occupancies, such as nursing homes, apartments, and hotels.  With the introduction of the 160 degree models, this technology could replace all electric resistance water heaters.  A careful design balancing the recovery rate with storage capacity is required.

Baseline Example:

Baseline Description: Electric Boost Water Heater for Dishwashers
Baseline Energy Use: 0 kWh per year per square foot

Comments:

Most commercial building hot water heat would be accomplished by natural gas.  Only the use of heat pumps to replace electric boost water heaters in dishwashers would provide regional electrical energy savings.  This is something that can be incentivized when dishwashers reach their end-of-life and require replacement.

Manufacturer's Energy Savings Claims:

"Typical" Savings: 60%
Savings Range: From 50% to 70%

Comments:

There are new products introduced all the time. GE states 62% over standard electric.
Rheem states 50%

Best Estimate of Energy Savings:

"Typical" Savings: 50%
Low and High Energy Savings: 20% to 70%
Energy Savings Reliability: 4 - Extensive Assessment

Comments:

For an natural gas water heater with an energy factor of about 0.7 and a heat pump water heater with an energy factor of about 1.5, the energy (not electrical energy) savings would be about 50%.

Energy Use of Emerging Technology:
kWh per square foot per year What's this?

Energy Use of an Emerging Technology is based upon the following algorithm.

Baseline Energy Use - (Baseline Energy Use * Best Estimate of Energy Savings (either Typical savings OR the high range of savings.))

Technical Potential:
Units: square foot
Currently no data available.
First Cost: Currently no data available.

Cost Effectiveness:

Simple payback, new construction (years): N/A

Simple payback, retrofit (years): N/A

What's this?

Cost Effectiveness is calculated using baseline energy use, best estimate of typical energy savings, and first cost. It does not account for factors such as impacts on O&M costs (which could be significant if product life is greatly extended) or savings of non-electric fuels such as natural gas. Actual overall cost effectiveness could be significantly different based on these other factors.

Reference and Citations:

ASHRAE, 10/01/2009. Standard Benchmark Energy Utilization Index
ASHRAE

Greg Wilson, 05/17/2010. Heat Pump Water Heaters Applied to Commercial Kitchens
AO Smith

H.M. Sachs, 01/01/2002. Toward Market Transformation: Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters for the New York Energy $mart Program
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Karl Johnson, 04/13/2009. Applications of Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters in Hot, Humid Climates
Electric Power Research Institute

WSU EEP, 12/17/2013. Energy Experts Q&A: Capture Waste Heat
Washington State University Extension Energy Program

Rank & Scores

Heat Pump Water Heaters for Commercial Kitchens

There is no TAG available for this technology.
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