South Africa-based Sirac launched its domestic hot water heat pumps earlier this year and has supplied platinum producer Impala Platinum (Implats) with 90 solar heat water pumps, including an additional 600 units in early 2009.
According to the Sirac website, the heat pumps reduce greenhouse emissions and save up to 70% of energy usage in pool heating. Sirac Product Manager Jason Deane told Engineering News said the pump has been tested by the South African Bureau of Standards in Pretoria, South Africa and obtained the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) compliance certificate.
"The heat pump is currently on test at State-power utility Eskom’s demand side management test facility, and has received an extremely favorable response. The Sirac heat pump will be positioned as the benchmark for all future tests," Deane said.
The solar heat pump absorbs free energy from the air and increases the temperatures with electrical energy. This method does not require sunlight, and is cost efficient.
The technology has received positive feedback from property developers, hotesl, mines, and the private sector.
Deane noted that the pump was still undergoing alterations. “The heat pumps have been through a few modifications, including the internal installation of the circulation pump, and there have been modifications to the circuitry and controls,” he said.