Quick answer
When a building is cooling, heat is being removed from indoor spaces. In a suitably designed integrated system, some of that recovered heat can be used to support domestic hot-water production instead of being rejected unused.
The basic principle
Cooling operation moves heat away from occupied spaces. EcoComfort is designed so that heat-recovery opportunities can be considered alongside domestic hot-water demand.
When it is most useful
Heat recovery is most relevant where cooling and hot-water demand overlap, such as homes with substantial hot-water use, accommodation, healthcare and other buildings with regular hot-water demand.
Project-specific performance
The amount of useful recovered heat depends on cooling load, hot-water demand, tank temperatures, controls and system design. No fixed percentage of hot-water demand should be assumed without project assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is domestic hot water always free during cooling?
No. EcoComfort may recover useful heat during cooling, but the amount available depends on simultaneous cooling and hot-water demand and the system configuration.
Are the comfort-energy and domestic-hot-water tanks connected?
No. EcoComfort uses separate tanks for comfort-energy storage and domestic hot water; the water in the two tanks is not interconnected.
Does heat recovery replace all hot-water heating?
Not necessarily. Supplementary heat-pump operation may still be required depending on demand and operating conditions.
Explore EcoComfort further
Review the system, applications, demonstration and partner pathway.