Mixergy iHP X myth-busters
We explore the myths and realities surrounding integrated heat pump cylinders.
Integrated heat pump cylinders belong to an established product group. They consist of a hot water cylinder with a small heat pump to generate heat for the hot water. They are quickly increasing in popularity in the UK for several reasons, not least because they can achieve a coefficient of performance (CoP) of three or four, depending on the weather conditions, and supports SAP or EPC.
For social landlords looking to improve the EPC of their housing stock, combining an integrated heat pump cylinder and electric storage heaters on an Economy 7 tariff will provide the points from a carbon and energy reduction perspective (and reduce costs for the end user). It also supports SAP and EPC rating with infrared heaters.
Integrated heat pump cylinders are also a useful stepping stone for homeowners looking to make their home as energy efficient as possible as it’s 3x more energy efficient than a direct electric cylinder. It can be installed at anytime in their retrofit journey, or easily included as part of their self-build project.
OK, now let’s look at busting some of those myths around the Mixergy iHP X and explain how it differs from other products in this category.
Myth 1: Integrated heat pumps take hours to produce useable hot water
Many products of this type can take up to six hours to heat the water in the cylinder. This is because the heat pump on top of the cylinder is only small and doesn’t have much power.
However, the Mixergy iHP X is different because, instead of working like all the other cylinders, it isn’t trying to heat all the water in the cylinder from the bottom up. The iHP X has the option to heat from the top down. This approach means it can get useable hot water in under 30 minutes for those unexpected hot water needs. Day-to-day, it use’s Mixergy’s unique maching learning to heat the whole cylinder as efficiently as possibly, setting heating schedules and integrating with the home’s smart tariff.
The iHP X is also ‘best in class’ for energy performance because the plate heat exchanger inside the head unit achieves exceptional heat transfer.
Myth 2: Integrated heat pump cylinders are heavy, bulky and difficult to install
Our competitors’ products are manufactured as single units, making them heavy and difficult to move and install. However, the Mixergy iHP X is modular, so the heat pump and cylinder are separate. Therefore, the cylinder is lighter and easier to transport, install and maintain.
Myth 3: Integrated heat pump cylinders are sealed units and difficult to service
Being modular, both the cylinder and the heat pump unit of the Mixergy iHP X are separate, meaning everything is accessible, and both can be serviced and repaired.
Both units have been designed with the ‘right to repair’ in mind, providing a much longer product lifecycle. Our philosophy is that everything should be repairable as far as possible and not be scrapped just because something has gone wrong.
Myth 4: Integrated heat pump cylinders only have short warranties
Because the Mixergy iHP X comprises of two units, we can offer separate warranties. The cylinder is manufactured out of high-quality, marine-grade stainless steel and has a 25-year warranty, like the rest of the Mixergy range of cylinders. The heat pump unit has an initial 5-year warranty and is fully serviceable.
Myth 5: Installers will need extra training to install an integrated heat pump cylinder
Not true when installing the Mixergy iHP X (although they will need your G3 Unvented certificate). The cylinder will require the installation of air ducting to get air in and out again once the heat has been extracted; however, this is no more complicated than installing the flue for a boiler. F-gas certification is not required because the refrigerant is completely sealed within the heat pump module.
Myth 6: Integrated heat pump cylinders are noisy
The Mixergy iHP is as quiet as a conventional fridge, around 45-50db.
And there are even more benefits to discover:
- As the Mixergy iHP X has it’s own heating source (heat pump head unit), it can be installed alongside any other space-heating solution with no integration into that system required. For example, electric storage or infrared heaters, or with a gas system or heat-only boiler, replacing the existing cylinder. This makes it ideal for any build type.
- It can work with the Mixergy app, like any other Mixergy cylinder, to boost, schedule and engage machine learning.
- It can be adapted to work with solar PV, using free electricity when the sun shines to run the heat pump.
Find out more on the iHP X page.
