As energy costs continue to rise and environmental concerns grow, there’s a need for efficient and sustainable solutions. San Williams explores the Rinnai Enviroflo range of heat pumps and looks at how they balance performance with affordability.  

Once the land of comfortable living, Australia is now grappling with the threat of rising costs of living. Simple expenses, like the monthly electricity bill, are ballooning into a financial burden for families across the country.

Hot water systems are some of the biggest culprits in energy consumption, typically consuming around 5,475kWh per year in a standard home according to EnergySage. Investing in a high-quality heat pump is crucial, with a well-designed heat pump minimising energy consumption and regular maintenance, common among less efficient, cheaper models.

The Rinnai Enviroflo heat pump range answers this, catering to various installation requirements, nationwide. Among these, the new Rinnai AR and GR Series heat pump water heaters stand out for their exceptional performance, energy efficiency and user-friendly features.

Boasting the latest in heat pump technology, Rinnai product strategy, planning and distribution group manager Patrick Corcoran says the Australian-designed and manufactured Enviroflo electric integrated hot water system significantly reduces energy consumption compared to their traditional counterparts.

“Heat pump hot water systems use an efficient refrigeration cycle to extract heat from the surrounding air. They then use a specifically engineered heat exchanger to heat water in the insulated storage cylinder,” Patrick says.

“The Australian designed and manufactured Rinnai Enviroflo AR range typically uses around 60 to 75% less electricity than a conventional electric hot water system. This is because the electricity is used to operate the heat pump and doesn’t heat the water directly with an element.”

With a focus on developing products with cutting-edge technology, Rinnai has supplied Australian homes with a range of solutions for 50 years that help people lead comfortable, safe and efficient lifestyles, and the Rinnai Enviroflo heat pump range is no exception.

Harnessing advanced refrigeration technology to efficiently capture and transfer thermal energy from the ambient air into stored water, Enviroflo’s efficiency, measured by the coefficient of performance (COP), improves as the ambient air temperature rises.

The components contributing to this efficiency include a high-performance compressor, a double wall heat exchanger, an intelligent controller, an integrated two speed fan (for low noise) and evaporator and the use of environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant.

“R290 Refrigerant is a sustainable and non-toxic refrigerant. It has a zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just 0.02, which is 50 times less than CO2. As such, it easily outperforms other heat pumps that typically use refrigerants with higher GWP values,” Patrick says.

Available in a broad range from 215L to 340L, Enviroflo heat pumps offer a combination of innovative technology and sustainable practices to ensure optimal performance and minimal environmental impact.

The Enviroflo AR series can be equipped with magnesium or hard water anodes to further customise their capabilities and suit the application and various site conditions. The range offers generous storage capacities of 300L and 340L, making them Australia’s largest range of integrated residential heat pumps.

“The AR series features a larger compressor, enabling faster water heating times. Our cloud-based WiFi app allows you to control your hot water system remotely. Additionally, the AR series offers improved COP and Seasonal Thermal Efficiency (STC), indicating superior performance compared to previous models,” Patrick says.

Operating in a temperature range of -7°C to 45°C, AR series heat pumps can be installed virtually anywhere in Australia and their quiet operation at 45dB ensures minimal noise disturbance. The AR series is also compatible with solar systems, allowing for efficient use of renewable energy to heat water, reducing energy costs.

What’s more, Enviroflo’s innovative design makes them eligible for government incentives to reduce upfront costs. The Federal Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme offers small-scale technology certificates (STCs), with values varying by location.

Through this, Victorian consumers can benefit from Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs), while New South Wales residents can take advantage of Energy Savings Schemes (ESCs). These government incentives combined with Enviroflo’s efficiency make them a cost-effective choice for sustainable hot water solutions.

Heat pump hot water systems offer superior efficiency compared to standard hot water tanks, and for those seeking premium quality, the Rinnai Enviroflo is a fitting choice. Rinnai also offers a comprehensive warranty package for their Enviroflo range of heat pump hot water systems.

To find out more, visit www.rinnai.com.au/electric-heat-pump