Articles tagged with "heat-pump"
DIY-ing Our Ductless Heat Pump Install Was Hard, But We Saved $7,000 - CleanTechnica
The article recounts the author's ambitious experience of DIY-installing a ductless heat pump system consisting of five indoor units and two outdoor units in a duplex, aiming to assess the accessibility of such systems for DIYers and to save money. Despite having moderate DIY skills and no prior heat pump installation experience, the author successfully completed the project over about a week, saving approximately $7,000 compared to professional installation quotes that exceeded $15,000. The motivation included curiosity about the installation process, cost savings, and the desire for effective cooling on the duplex's upstairs level, which conventional whole-house systems struggled to provide. The author purchased a Mr. Cool DIY heat pump kit for $6,500 and spent an additional $2,000 on labor help and parts. Preparation involved extensive research and video tutorials, but finding professional HVAC assistance proved difficult, as contractors were reluctant to work on equipment they did not supply, likely due to liability concerns and profit motives. The installation challenges included drilling multiple large holes through
energyheat-pumpDIY-installationductless-systemhome-energy-efficiencyHVACcost-savingsCanada’s self-powered solar home cuts energy use, emissions by half
A team of Canadian engineers from Western Engineering and Ivey Business School has developed a self-powered solar home in Komoka, Ontario, that significantly reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions. The house integrates solar panels, a heat pump, and a thermal battery to achieve near net-zero energy performance by capturing solar electricity, converting it to heat, and storing it for later use. Early data shows the system cuts electricity bills by 45% and carbon emissions by 55%, with the thermal battery increasing solar energy utilization by 60%, thereby reducing reliance on the grid. The innovative system is designed to be highly efficient and scalable, making the home four times more energy efficient than traditional setups. Equipped with sensors and smart wiring, the house allows real-time monitoring of energy use via a mobile app. The project aims to validate the system’s effectiveness over a year and expand its adoption across Canada and globally, potentially eliminating fossil fuel use in home heating. This approach addresses the high heating costs in Canada and offers a pathway to
energysolar-energythermal-batteryheat-pumpnet-zero-homeclean-energyenergy-efficiencyStartup to test closed-loop geothermal drilling to tap Earth’s heat
Rodatherm Energy Corporation, a Canadian geothermal startup based in Alberta, has secured a $38 million Series A investment from TDK Ventures to develop and deploy its innovative closed-loop geothermal system (AGS). Unlike traditional geothermal plants that require drilling into hot rock and use water or steam, Rodatherm’s AGS technology operates without drilling, water use, or emissions. The system uses a fully sealed, pressurized loop optimized for sedimentary basins, harvesting heat through conduction and convection into a new working fluid isolated from the ground. This design eliminates environmental risks such as contamination and fracking, while achieving 50% higher efficiency than conventional binary-cycle geothermal systems and using five times less fluid. The AGS system acts like a large underground heat pump and is modular, scalable, and capable of providing reliable baseload and dispatchable power. It is engineered to operate in diverse geological settings with minimal maintenance over decades and has a small surface footprint without requiring fresh water. Rodatherm plans to build its first
energygeothermal-energyclosed-loop-systemsustainable-energyheat-pumprenewable-energyenergy-efficiencyLG’s Gorgeous Heat Pump Water Heater Will Look Great At Your Next Dinner Party - CleanTechnica
LG has introduced a visually striking heat pump water heater (HPWH) to the U.S. market, originally designed for the European market where water heaters are often visible in smaller homes. This unit combines high efficiency with an attractive, modern design, making it unique in a category not typically associated with aesthetics. The LG HPWH features a variable speed compressor, a first for unitary HPWHs in the U.S., which enhances energy efficiency (up to 3.93 UEF, about four times more efficient than standard electric water heaters), reduces noise levels to around 42-45 dBA (comparable to a quiet library), and allows faster hot water recovery—producing 76 gallons of hot water in the first hour, exceeding average daily household use. Additionally, it can operate effectively in temperatures as low as 23°F, which is beneficial for installations in colder environments like garages. LG integrates this HPWH with its ThinQ smart home app, enabling users to control multiple LG appliances
energyheat-pumpwater-heatervariable-speed-compressorenergy-efficiencyLG-electronicssmart-home-integrationNew heat pump with built-in EV charger cuts costs, speeds setup
Mitsubishi Electric and EVHACS have jointly developed the world’s first integrated heat pump and electric vehicle (EV) charger, combining renewable heating, cooling, and smart EV charging into a single compact unit. This innovation simplifies infrastructure by requiring only one electrical connection, reducing installation complexity, speeding deployment, and lowering total system costs for both homeowners and commercial operators. The system intelligently shares electrical capacity between heating, cooling, and EV charging to prevent overloads, avoid costly grid upgrades, and maintain optimal performance during peak demand. The integrated solution offers two EV charger versions—a 1-phase 7.4 kW and a 3-phase 22 kW device—with tethered charging cables designed to preserve building aesthetics. By merging Mitsubishi Electric’s advanced heat pump technology with EVHACS’ patented EV charging, the product supports AC charging and integrates seamlessly with home energy management systems. This convergence of technologies aims to make low-carbon energy solutions more accessible and practical, helping users decarbonize buildings and vehicles
energyrenewable-energyheat-pumpelectric-vehicle-chargerenergy-efficiencysmart-home-technologysustainable-buildingGE’s New Heat Pump Water Heater Takes The Technology To New Heights - CleanTechnica
General Electric (GE) is re-entering the heat pump water heater (HPWH) market with a fourth-generation product that introduces significant technological advancements. GE was an early pioneer in HPWHs, launching the Geospring model in 2008 shortly after ENERGY STAR certification for such products began. After selling its HPWH line to Bradford White in 2015 and exiting the market, GE has spent years researching and developing innovations to address common challenges in HPWH technology. This new model marks GE’s return with features designed to improve efficiency, convenience, and performance. Key innovations include a dual-voltage design that allows the unit to operate on both 120-volt and 240-volt electricity, making it versatile for different household electrical setups. This feature enables easier replacement of gas or electric water heaters without immediate rewiring, facilitating a smoother transition to heat pump technology. Another major advancement is the integrated electronic mixing valve, which allows the water heater to store water at temperatures up to 160°F
energyheat-pumpwater-heaterGEenergy-efficiencydual-voltagehome-appliancesTwo Leading Manufacturers Bring New Heat Pump Water Heater Updates To Market - CleanTechnica
energyheat-pumpwater-heaterefficiencysmart-technologyhome-efficiencyHVAC