News Article
Industry leaders joins forces to promote 'green' hot water technologies
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
A group of leading New Zealand water heating companies announced today the creation of the New Zealand Hot Water Association (NZHWA).
The NZHWA has been formed to encourage New Zealand homeowners to adopt energy efficient water heating options that harness renewable energy.
"There are mixed messages in the market about what is and is not environmentally friendly or cost-effective when it comes to hot water," explains Andy Higgs, NZHWA Chair.
"We want to be a resource for homeowners as well as plumbers and associated trades for the facts on truly renewable hot water heating options here in New Zealand, and to build the market for these technologies."
The NZHWA lists heat pump water heating, solar and electric storage as the water heating technologies currently available that harness renewable energy.
"Heat pump water heating in particular is ideal for the land of the long white cloud," says NZHWA founding member, Kevin Trigg.
"Heat Pump Water Heaters essentially rely on air - which is both free and renewable - as their primary energy source. The outside air gets heated up by energy from the sun and oceans every day, so it is not reliant upon sunshine to operate. It does this even on cool, cloudy or rainy days, which makes it ideal for the Kiwi climate."
The combination of energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Heat Pump Water Heating is unparalleled by other water heating alternatives.
"On average, Heat Pump Water Heating systems are 300% energy efficient. This means that you get $3 worth of hot water for every $1 you spend on electricity. Some systems offer even higher efficiency, particularly on warmer days," explains NZHWA founding member, Steve Bullock.
The NZHWA hopes to see homeowners move toward renewable energy from fossil fuels for water heating, particularly if they live in a non-gas reticulated community.
Founding members of the NZHWA include CJ Energy Services, Econergy, Limited, Hot Water Heat Pumps, Next Energy, Parex Industries and Rheem New Zealand.
The group is working collaboratively with homeowners, builders and specifiers, trade, industry and consumer associations, and government and officials to meet its aims.
For information contact:
Kathy Gieck,
Phone: +64 21 547 194
Email: kathyg@nzhwa.org.nz