Mitsubishi Electric Group’s CO2 (R744) electric heat pump water heater, the Heat2O, cuts heating costs at least 70% compared to traditional water heaters, according to Dana Fischer, Director of Regulatory Strategy, Mitsubishi Electric US.
For every 1kW of electrical input, Heat2O offers threefold hot water output with a temperature of 176°F (80°C), even at freezing outdoor conditions at -13°F (-25°C), said Fischer. He added, “The future of heating is here, and it’s more sustainable than ever.”
Fischer delivered these remarks during his presentation for the Heat Pump Case Studies Panel at the ATMOsphere (ATMO) America Summit 2023 on natural refrigerants. The conference took place June 12–13 in Washington, D.C., and was organized by ATMOsphere, publisher of R744.com.
Mitsubishi Electric is a manufacturer and seller of electric and electronic products and systems used in a broad range of fields and applications. It has products related to air-conditioning systems, home products (refrigerators, AC servo systems, air purifiers, dehumidifiers) and many other applications.
As heat pumps become increasingly seen as a decarbonization replacement for fossil fuel heaters, Mitsubishi Electric launched the Heat2O in 2021 for commercial and industrial applications in the U.S. Versions of Mitsubishi’s CO2-based heat pumps had been available overseas for more than 15 years.
Myriad applications
Fischer stated that CO2 heat pump water heaters are a highly efficient and dependable technology. During his presentation, he illustrated the use of the Heat2O, demonstrating its effectiveness, transformative potential and growing importance in the current energy industry.
For example, the Bayview Tower, a 100-unit apartment building in Seattle, Washington, has installed Heat2O CO2 heat pump water heaters to replace its electric boiler. The system is expected to greatly reduce the building’s annual energy usage from 230,000kWh (784.79MMBTU) to 95,000kWh (324.15MMBTU) and save approximately $15,000 (€137,87) in building operating costs each year, said Fischer.
Fischer emphasized that the goal is not only to save money but also to “pave the way for a sustainable future for future generations.”
Fischer also highlighted the implementation of this CO2 heat pump water heater in Hotel Marcel in New Haven, Connecticut. The system provides hot water for the hotel, including a 165-room restaurant, gallery and meeting space. Hotel Marcel is the first net-zero hotel in the U.S. to install this system.
In Portland, Maine, the Riverside Homeless Center, which accommodates over 200 individuals, is another location showcasing Mitsubishi Electric’s system, with an 82% reduction in operational costs compared to gas systems. The system complies with the Green Design Code in Portland.
“Heat2O isn’t just a system; it’s a scalable solution that fits everywhere, from luxury hotels to hospitals,” said Fischer.
Working mechanism of Heat2O
The CO2 heat pump from Mitsubishi is equipped with advanced components such as a hot water heat pump, primary storage tank, swing tank, secondary heat exchanger, storage tank thermistors, water flow sensors and many other features. The water heater has a COP of 4.52.
One of the main features is the pad technology, which boasts a twisted spiral gas cooler. This design weaves three refrigerant lines around a single water pipe, amplifying the heat-conductive surface. The opposite flow of refrigerant to water further increases the system’s heat transfer efficiency.
Heat2O warms the water, channeling it to insulated tanks for distribution throughout buildings.
“The future of heating is here, and it’s more sustainable than ever.”
Dana Fischer, Director of Regulatory Strategy, Mitsubishi Electric US
