Want to reduce the energy demand of your gas-fired or electric water heater without compromising hot-water comfort during peak periods? Using a heat-pump water heater as a preheater can be a smart solution. The Enevator Store preheats cold water using heat from the ambient air. The DRE Plus electric water heater or BFC gas-fired water heater then provides top-up heating and is available when large volumes of hot water are needed quickly.
This combines energy-efficient preheating with powerful top-up heating: a hybrid solution for buildings with high domestic hot-water demand.
Efficient preheating and rapid top-up heating
Cold mains water first flows through the Enevator Store. The heat-pump water heater uses heat from the ambient air to preheat the water. The water then flows to the DRE Plus or BFC Cyclone. Because the incoming water is already warmer, the top-up water heater needs less energy to reach the required temperature.
At the same time, the water heater remains available during peak periods. This is important at locations where many outlets require hot water in quick succession. You retain the capacity for high hot-water demand while making the base heating process more efficient.
A hybrid solution for high hot-water demand
In many buildings, hot-water demand is not constant throughout the day. Think of a restaurant after a busy evening, a sports facility after training sessions or a campsite in the morning. Between peak periods, the heat-pump water heater can preheat water efficiently. During a peak, the water heater provides additional capacity quickly.
This makes a heat-pump water heater used as a preheater an attractive option for hospitality venues, sports and leisure facilities, campsites, schools and other commercial buildings. The right solution depends not only on total consumption, but especially on when demand occurs and how much hot water is needed at the same time.
For locations with peaks in hot-water demand, A.O. Smith offers solutions for the leisure sector, including sports facilities, holiday parks and campsites. View our reference projects to see how these hot-water solutions are applied in practice.
Also suitable for an existing water heater
Preheating with a heat-pump water heater does not automatically mean replacing your existing water heater. In a suitable system, the water heater can retain its role as the top-up heater and peak-load solution. The Enevator Store adds an energy-efficient preheating stage.
Whether this hybrid configuration is suitable depends on your hot-water demand profile, required temperature, available installation space, ambient air conditions and electrical capacity. The combination of a heat-pump water heater and water heater should therefore always be tailored to the specific situation.
Would you like to know which solution is right for your project? Contact A.O. Smith for advice on a hot-water system with the Enevator Store, DRE Plus or BFC Cyclone.
