Heat Pump Water Heaters

● What is a heat pump？

A heat pump is a device that consumes work (or electricity) to transfer heat from a cold heat sink to a hot heat sink. Specifically, the heat pump transfers thermal energy using a refrigeration cycle, cooling the cool space and warming the warm space.n cold weather, a heat pump can move heat from the cool outdoors to warm a house (e.g. winter); the pump may also be designed to move heat from the house to the warmer outdoors in warm weather (e.g. summer). As they transfer heat rather than generating heat, they are more energy-efficient than other ways of heating or cooling a home.

● What are the components of an air source heat pump?

A heat pump has four key components：1: condenser, 2: expansion valve, 3: evaporator, 4: compressor, as shown below.

● How heat pump works？

Heat flows spontaneously from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature. Heat does not flow spontaneously from lower temperature to higher, but it can be made to flow in this direction if work is performed. The work required to transfer a given amount of heat is usually much less than the amount of heat; this is the motivation for using heat pumps in applications such as the heating of water and the interior of buildings. A gaseous refrigerant is compressed so its pressure and temperature rise. When operating as a heater in cold weather, the warmed gas flows to a heat ex-changer in the indoor space where some of its thermal energy is transferred to that indoor space, causing the gas to condense to its liquid state. The liquefied refrigerant flows to a heat ex-changer in the outdoor space where the pressure falls, the liquid evaporates and the temperature of the gas falls. It is now colder than the temperature of the outdoor space being used as a heat source. It can again take up energy from the heat source, be compressed and repeat the cycle.

● What’s the meaning of Energy Label ？

I.Supplier’s name or trade mark;
II. Supplier’s model identifier; 
III. The space heating function for medium- and low-temperature application, respectively;
IV. The seasonal space heating energy efficiency class under average climate conditions for medium- and low- temperature application, respectively, determined in accordance with point 1 of Annex II; the head of the arrow containing the seasonal space heating energy efficiency class of the heat pump space heater for medium- and low-temperature application, respectively, shall be placed at the same height as the head of the relevant energy efficiency class; 
V. The rated heat output, including the rated heat output of any supplementary heater, in kW, under average, colder and warmer climate conditions for medium- and low-temperature application, respectively, rounded to the nearest integer; 
VI. European temperature map displaying three indicative temperature zones; 
VII. The sound power level LWA , indoors (if applicable) and outdoors, in dB, rounded to the nearest integer.

● How to choose the suitable monoblock according to customer's floor area?

To ensure efficiency and economy, we need to make engineering calculation for different customers, and these is recommended examples are for reference only. Using 80W/㎡ as a reference value, and you are welcomed to contact us for detailed information.

● How to choose the buffer tank to match the heat pump?

Check service manual for detailed calculation. Here is a recommendation

● How to choose storage tank for monoblock heat pump？

The storage tank should be configured at 60 liters per person, or 100 liters per person if a bathtub is used. Additionally, the time costs for single heating cycle should be taken into account, with 1.5 hours recommended to prevent impacts on hot water or heating .

● How to choose the suitable heat pump and its power according to the customer's operating environment?

To ensure efficiency and economy, we need to make engineering calculation for different customers, and these is recommended examples are for reference only. Using 60 liters per person as a reference value.

● How to choose suitable All-in-one water heater according to water consumption?

Our recommendation is 60 liters for each person.

● Can you provide customers with a complex solution, including heat pump, solar thermal, PV and energy storage system?

Micoe has launched an energy solution- Zero Carbon House, which includes a Photovoltaic and Energy Storage System, a Heating and Cooling System, a Hot Water System, an Electric Vehicle Charging Station, and a Smart Energy Management System. This solution provides users with an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and convenient energy experience. During the day, the power generated by photovoltaic gives priority to powering household loads, and any excess power is used to charge the batteries. Once the battery is fully charged, the excess electricity is converted into thermal energy, which is stored in a thermal storage tank. This energy can be used for heating or cooling. When energy storage is complete, the smart energy management system adjusts the operating parameters and logic of the equipment based on its characteristics and user needs, maximizing the utilization of solar power. At night, the batteries supply power to residential loads, and the thermal storage tank provides indoor heating or cooling, thereby reducing or even eliminating the use of grid electricity, achieving zero-carbon operation for the building. The intelligent energy management algorithm developed by Micoe can calculate and adjust energy distribution strategies in real time, ensuring efficient system operation. Users can monitor the operating conditions, energy usage and consumption of the equipment through a centralized control panel or a smartphone app, achieving integrated control of the energy solution.

● How to choose the suitable heat pump and its power according to the customer's operating environment?

To ensure efficiency and economy, we need to make engineering calculation for different customers, and these is recommended examples are for reference only. For indoor swimming pool, 3 cubic meters per kilowatt（rated output power）.For outdoor swimming pool, 1.5 cubic meters per kilowatt（rated output power）.

● How long does the swimming pool heat pump need for initial heat up?

For initial heat up, typically 48-72 hours.

● Why does the air source heat pump get frosted?

The reason for frosting and condensation is that when wet air encounter a surface with lower temperature than its dew point temperature, water vapor will remove from wet air to the surface. Generally, when the environmental temperature drop below 5 ℃ and the evaporator's temperature is below 0℃, hydrophilic aluminium fins are prone to get condensation and even eventually frosted. In addition, there are other reasons, for example too much dirty things on fins such as dusts, slow or non fan rotate speed.

● Is the defrosting function of heat pump reliable? What is the defrosting principle?

Our company's products have reliable and efficient defrosting performance. Firstly, based on operating parameters and loads change of units, combined with external environmental temperature and humidity at the same time, the machines will determine the severity of frost on time. Then get involved in defrosting in advance to reduce the frequency of severe frost formation, reduce defrosting frequency and avoid defrosting in vain.

● To prevent freezing, what kind precautions do customers need to do?

1.Ensure power supply and water circulation. Ensure that heat pump and circulating pump are kept power supply, and avoid switching off power because units can automatically activate anti-freezing protection function when units have power supply. 
2.Long power outage, draining water Install automatic anti-freeze valve at the lowest point of system pipeline, or immediately drain all water from heat pump and water pump at the lowest point when there is a power failure. 
3.Unstable power supply, using anti-freeze liquid In severe cold areas where power supply is unstable, anti-freeze liquid can be added to units system.

● Before heating season started, what should customers do before turning on air source heat pump?

1.Before turning on heat pump, keep the machine power on and standby(not turning on) to preheat compressor, otherwise compressor have risk of being damaged. 
2.Before turning on heat pump, please check all pipeline, heat pump, water pump and filter and other components. Please check whether pipeline is leaked, whether heat pump, water pump, and filter is dirty or blocked, and valve of each pipeline is opened. 
3.Before turning on heat pump, please check whether water system capacity is sufficient, and vent the air inside. 
4.Please check whether insulation material of pipeline is damaged and repair it timely. 
5.Please check and clean dirty things and dust on the main evaporator, water pump and motor fans.

● How the monoblock heat pump cool and provide hot water at the same time?

The monoblock heat pump perform one function of DHW, cooling and heating at the same time, and the priority of hot water is higher than the other two. Whenever there is demand for hot water, heat pump will firstly operate hot water mode and then perform other actions when storage tank reaches set temperature.

● DHW, cooling or heating, how does the monoblock heat pump switch to different model, and whether three models have priorit?

The monoblock heat pump perform one function of DHW, cooling and heating at the same time, and the priority of hot water is higher than the other two. Whenever there is demand for hot water, heat pump will firstly operate hot water mode and then perform other actions when storage tank reaches a setting temperature.

● How do monoblock products control indoor temperature?

Accurately, it is about how indoor thermostats control the monoblock for cooling and heating. The heat pump and indoor thermostat are two independent products. The monoblock mother-board allows for linkage switch ON/OFF, which can detect whether the indoor thermostat is active. When all room thermostats are off, the heat pump automatically shuts down and goes into standby mode. When one or several room thermostats are activated, the heat pump runs automatically.

● How is the swimming pool heat pump linkage controlled with the customer's filter and chlorinator?

Typically pool heat pump is controlled by internal flow sensor.

● Can the air source heat pump take the radiator to heating?

Yes. R32 monoblock heat pump can reach to 60 ℃ , and R290 monoblock heat pump can reach to 75℃. That two models all can meet temperature requirements for radiators, and our products have double temperature zone control , therefore they can be used for floor heating and radiators simultaneously.

● Based on ground source heat-pump, what components should be replaced to switch to air source heat-pump?

We can't change ground source heat-pump into air source heat-pump, but we can use air source heat-pump to replace old or damaged or inefficient ground source heat-pump .

● How to make customized products?

1.Confirm customers requirements and communicate with customers in advance to determine if there are any categories that meet customer needs. 
2.Complete internal company processes 
3.New product launch demand table with detailed requirements.

● Can the R290 50KW commercial heat-pump achieve both DHW, heating, cooling function?

Yes. The machine needs to be upgraded and make some changes for connections.

● Can heat pump supply heat for fish pond?

Yes. We have experience in using heat pump to heat fish ponds such as eels and turtles. Generally, the mainly way is indirectly heating using coil exchanges. And we need pay attention to adverse reaction of different fish pieces to metals and materials.

● How long is the payback period for replacing gas boiler with commercial heat-pump ?

The economic payback period depends on local electricity prices, gas prices, and the energy consumption of each project; generally speaking, the higher the energy consumption of the client, the shorter the payback period. In China, with natural gas priced at about ￥3 per cubic meter, and electricity at ￥0.8 per kwh, the operating cost of a heat-pump is about half that of a gas boiler, with an average economic payback period of about five years. If you want to confirm it in details, please provide us with the cost of gas and electricity in your country, and we can offer you accurate data.

● What are the advantages and disadvantages of monoblock cooling compared to VRV or VRF products?

If fast cooling is considered a sign of good performance, then VRV or VRF products have an advantage. If a comfortable level is considered good performance, then monoblock has an advantage. For VRV or VRF products the temperature of the indoor unit’s heat exchanger is below 0°C, making the cold air too cold to bear; for monoblock，the temperature of fan coil is around 10°C, making the airflow much more comfortable.

● How large should the heat exchanger area be for the storage tank of a mono block?

The heat exchanger area of the storage tank needs to match the output power of the heat pump; based on experience, the heat transfer capacity per unit area of the smooth tube is 3kW,and for the corrugated tube, it is 6KW.In most cases, the tank supplier will provide the corresponding specifications, and a calculation reference is available in the technical manual also.

● What types of condensers are used in monoblock products?

The condensers used in monoblock products are flat- plate heat ex-changers, which offer the advantages of being compact, having high heat exchange efficiency, and low pressure drop.

● Whether we can get remote access to operate customers' heat pump, and login to view values and modify parameters?

The products with IOT module shall be able to do it.

● What functions can IOT platform provide?

At present time, IOT platform have implemented functions such as data viewing, parameters setting and OTA function.

● Where is the IOT platform, and whether the customers' data safety can be guaranteed?

Our data server locate in Germany, IOT platform can store data locally, which conform with EU laws and regulations.

● How many kinds of language can IOT platform support?

IOT platform supports two language, Chinese and English.

● What functions can end-user apps achieve?

The user-site app includes functions such as on/off, temperature setting, mode switch, timing and inquiry, which meet customers' daily operation requirements.

● Which products have the SG READY function?

Currently, most of monoblock products are equipped with the SG READY function and can intelligently adjust the operation state of the heat pump in response to electrical grid commands. You are welcomed to contact us for detailed information.

● What kind components can provide optional choice? (Because most of our orders are customized products)？

The key accessories get involved in certification so we don't suggest to change them. If the accessory is listed in the certification report, we can offer a optional backup list.

● Does the air source heat-pump consume lots of electricity when it's continuously connected to a power source 24 hours a day?

When heat pump reach set temperature, it will change to standby mode automatically, and the power is only several watts. And our heat pump products completely meet En14825 standard for standby power requirements.

● Can you give an explanation about Coefficient Of Performance(COP)?

COP means radio of units' heat production expressed in the same unit divided by total electrical power.

● What kinds refrigerants available now? Also the scenarios and market conditions for each type refrigerants?

Currently, the common refrigerants used for monoblock and pool heat-pump products are R410a,R32,and R290;while for All-in-one water heater, the common refrigerants are R134 and R290.In the European market,R410a and R32 are in the phase-out stage, and R290 is being actively promoted; for heat pump water heaters,R134 is also being gradually replaced. In the future, heat-pump refrigerants will progressively shift towards low GWP (Global Warming Potential) natural refrigerants like R290 and R744.

Will efficiency of the air source heat-pump decrease when customers use it long time?

There will be decrease, but the attenuation rate is very small. The main factors. There will be decrease, but the attenuation rate is very small. The main factors which effect air source heat-pump efficiency is the cleanliness of evaporator and condenser, which reduce heat exchange efficiency and lead to energy efficiency attenuation. Therefore, it's necessary to clean and maintain regularly. The compressor and extension valve's performance has few degradation within their life cycle, which has few effect on system efficiency.

● What is the power factor range of heat pump products? (Why is the current ≠ power/voltage on the nameplate?)

The power factor for heat-pump products is around 0.98, that’s why current ≠ power/voltage.

● Please provide testing data (heating capacity or COP) for All-in-one water heater.

Here is an example for one of our all in one heat pump.

● How many electricity do the All-in-one water heater consume in one month?

Electricity consumption depends on hot water consumption, the key point is COP. The higher the COP, the lower the consumption. To heat up 1000 liters water from 4 ℃ to 55 ℃, if annual mean temperature is 14.4 ℃, the consumption is about 15 kwh.

● How many refrigerant do the R290 All-in-one water heater charged?

Charge volume for R290 All-in-one water heater varies from 100g to 500g, contact us to check nameplate or manuals for each model if you are interested.

● What is the decibel level when heat pump is running? Is it noisy?

Our products are quiet and easeful, and there is specific noise decibel in the brochure, which have met the 2025 BAFA standard. Contact us for more detailed data if you are interested.

● What are the common potential safety problems during the period of installation and use? How to avoid them and deal with them?

Please pay attention to fire and electricity prevention and refer to after-sale manual for details.

● Does the heat pump need maintenance regularly? What's the required frequency ? Is the maintenance cost high?

The heat pump products require very little check and maintenance, and please refer to product manual for detailed requirements.

● Will the lifespan of the heat pump be reduced if it is exposed outside?

No. But the machine need special protection in high salt spray areas.

● How to maintain air source heat pump unit?

1.Regularly check if the operating parameters of the machine are normal. 
2.The waterway filter should be regularly cleaned to ensure the cleanliness of the water inside the system to avoid damage to heat pump caused by dirty and blocked filters. 
3.Check the power supply and electrical system wiring of the heat-pump to ensure that the electrical components are securely connected and there are no abnormal operations. If any issues are found, they should be promptly repaired or replaced. 
4.Maintain a dry and well-ventilated environment around the machine, regularly clean the evaporator, and clean the fins to maintain good heat exchange efficiency.

● What are the tips when we turn on the heat pump at the first time?

1.Before powering on, check if there are any debris inside the electrical control cabinet. Inspect the wires for loose connections, damage, and ensure the power supply voltage is normal. 
2.Check if the air outlet of the main unit is obstructed, inspect the fins of the main unit for dirt blockage, such as debris, leaves, or dust. 
3.Inspect whether the various valves in the water system are operating normally, open the normally open valve and close the normally closed valve. Check the water system pipes for leaks and the insulation pipes for cracks. Check the water quality in the water system for impurities and clean the filter if necessary. 
4.Prior to the formal operation of the unit, power it on 6 to 8 hours in advance to preheat the compressor and prevent compressor cylinder jamming caused by the freezing of compressor lubricating oil. 
5.After powering on, check if the main unit power supply voltage is normal, inspect whether the unit casing is live to prevent safety accidents, and confirm if the control panel is showing any flashing error codes indicating a malfunction. 6)Start the unit and check the working voltage, current, and various operational parameters for normalcy.

● How long does customers need replacing accessories?

For pool and monoblock heat pump ， there are no consumption parts. For All-in-one water heater, magnesium rod must be checked and changed regularly.

● What are the transporting notification?

Please pay attention to number of stacking layers, direction, impact, vibration and other requirements. Please refer to packing mark and products manual for details.

● What are the tips when customers install products?

1.Heat pump requires installed in open environment and have requirement for installation clearance. 
2.The installation location of heat pump should be as far away as possible from bedrooms and living rooms, and please install shock-absorbing block on the foundation. 
3.The installation location must reserve space for after-sales maintenance. 
4.The air outlet of household side outlet unit is downwind from monsoon direction. 
5.Be sure to handle machine defrost water, and consider measures such as pipeline connection for discharge. Please read manuals before installation.