Heat pump can use exhaust air to produce domestic hot water
Ariston’s Nuos unit for generating domestic hot water incorporates a heat pump to extract heat from ambient air or extract air from rooms such as kitchens or bathrooms. The heat pump can heat the stored water to 55°C, giving energy savings of up to 67% compared to traditional electric storage water heaters. Water heating is supported by a 1.2 kW element.
The normal mode of operation is for the heat pump to heat the water, with automatic switching over to the separate element as required.
Alternatively, the heat pump and electric element can work together to heat water more quickly, but still 30% more efficiently than direct electricity alone.
The temperature of the stored water is automatically raised to just above 60°C periodically to pasteurise the system.
The Nuos has been designed for plug-and-play installation by those competent in installing unvented cylinders. The main difference is that air that has been used as the heat source is exhausted outside so as not to cool the house.
