What is a Heat Pump?
First, it’s important to understand what exactly a heat pump is and how it works. Essentially, a heat pump is an electrical device that takes heat from one place (the air, ground or water) and “pumps” it to another location using a refrigeration system, heating coils and a compressor.
Unlike a conventional electric or gas water heater that generates heat directly, a heat pump simply moves existing warmth. This allows it to provide a much higher output of thermal energy compared to the electrical energy it consumes, making it extremely efficient.
The Apricus All In One uses advanced “air source” heat pump technology to extract free renewable heat from the outside air and concentrate it to heat water. Continue to read the Apricus heat pump review and let’s learn more about it.
How the Apricus All In One 260L Heat Pump Water Heater Works
The Apricus All In One Heat Pump is designed for outdoor installation and looks similar to a standard air conditioning unit. It houses a sealed refrigeration system which uses a compressor, evaporator coil, expansion valve and refrigerant to capture heat and “pump” it into the 260L water storage tank.
Here is the process in 4 key stages:
Extracting Heat:
The system uses a fan to draw outside air across the evaporator coil inside the heat pump. As low-pressure refrigerant passes through this coil, heat from the air gets absorbed making the refrigerant evaporate or boil. This leaves the evaporator coil cold, allowing it to extract more heat from the passing air flow.
Compressing Heat:
The compressor then pressurises the now gaseous refrigerant, raising its temperature from around 0°C to over 70°C. This intensive compression literally concentrates the captured heat energy.
Transferring Heat:
The superheated refrigerant then circulates through a secondary heat exchanger coil wrapped around the water storage tank. As it flows through the coil, the heat gets transferred from the refrigerant to the water.
Condensing Back to Liquid:
Having given up its heat to the water, the refrigerant condenses back into a liquid state so the cycle can repeat. The condensed liquid refrigerant goes through the expansion valve which drops the pressure before it returns to the evaporator coil to pick up more free environmental heat.
Meanwhile, the water in the stainless steel cylinder absorbs the heat from the refrigerant coils and gets stored ready for use in your household plumbing and appliances when needed.
Key Benefits of Using a Heat Pump for Hot Water
Extremely high efficiency – Generates up to 3kW of heat energy for each 1kW of electricity used. Provides hot water for around one-third of the running costs of an electric storage heater.
Saves money – Lower energy use means lower power bills, paying for itself faster than solar systems. In the future, may qualify as an approved EnergyWise system eligible for discounts.
Reduces carbon emissions – Cuts annual CO2 emissions by up to 3 tonnes compared to conventional water heating.
Environmentally responsible refrigerant – Uses R290 refrigerant which has virtually no global warming impact.
Features of the Apricus All In One
As one of the most advanced heat pump water heaters available in New Zealand, the Apricus All In One set itself apart with several standout features:
Smart Touch Controller:
The integrated touchscreen interface lets you view real-time energy use, set operating modes, and create custom heating schedules to optimise efficiency.
Dual Heating:
As well as the heat pump, an internal electric heating element allows the unit to achieve extra high water temperatures up to 70°C if very hot water is needed.
Eco-Friendly & Long Lasting:
Constructed from premium materials for superior corrosion resistance. Fully serviceable meaning a lifespan over 20 years, avoiding landfill waste.
WiFi & App Control Ready:
The built-in IoT functionality allows wireless control to monitor the system, schedule heating times and diagnose faults remotely. You can find more details about this feature in the Apricus manual.
Maximise Solar Power:
Smart control features let solar PV owners set the unit to use surplus solar generation during the daytime for free hot water heating.
When you look at the Apricus heat pump price, you will figure out that these features are totally worth it.
Sizing and Installation of the Apircus All In One
When considering the Apricus All In One heat pump water heater, it is important to choose the right size model for your household’s expected hot water usage. The 260 litre capacity of the All In One is recommended for providing sufficient hot water for 3-5 bathrooms with up to 6 occupants, depending on usage patterns.
Installation does require some plumbing and electrical modifications since the unit needs to be positioned outdoors with adequate air flow and drainage for condensate. The industrial-grade components and refrigeration system means the unit weighs over 200kg when full and is over 2 meters high so professional installation onto a concrete slab or metal stand is advisable.
Most installations take around a day depending on if the old cylinder needs to be removed, new power supply and plumbing modifications needed plus minor cosmetic patching up. An electrical safety inspection certificate will also be provided once completed. Our qualified installers can provide you with a competitive quote with options tailored for your existing setup, so you know the full supply and installation cost. Contact us today to learn more about the Apricus price list.
Final Words
As you can see, the ingenious use of proven heat pump technology makes Apricus electric hot water systems like the Apricus 260L much greener and cheaper to run than traditional water heating methods. It works by extracting free heat from the air to warm water at a fraction of the electrical energy used by conventional storage tanks or instant heating.
With intelligent control features, extremely high efficiency, eco-friendly design and renewable solar integration capabilities, the Apricus All In One heat pump water heater provides a cutting-edge solution for sustainable domestic hot water supply. Contact us to find out more or organise an installation quote.
Use our contact us page to reach us and we will be more than happy to discuss your hot water situation. Or give us a call on 0800 497658.
At Hot Water Solutions all we do is hot water!
