Efficient Hot Water Heating Solutions
Hot water whenever you need it—at lower costs and with no compromises. Heat pump water heaters use heat from the surrounding air, reducing electricity consumption by over 75% compared to traditional electric boilers. They operate quietly, reliably, and efficiently, even during high-demand periods, ensuring you’ll never run out of hot water.
A DHW (Domestic Hot Water) heat pump or a heat pump water heater is a device that heats water using renewable heat drawn from the surrounding air—without combustion and with significantly lower electricity consumption. Compared to traditional electric boilers, it consumes over 75% less energy. The device extracts heat from indoor or outdoor air and efficiently transfers it into water using a compressor.
Operating quietly, automatically, and reliably year-round, it’s an ideal hot water solution for homes, apartments, holiday properties, salons, and commercial establishments, ensuring a continuous supply of hot water even during periods of high demand.
A Heat Pump Water Heater is currently the most cost-effective and reliable solution for heating domestic hot water in houses, apartments, holiday properties, and commercial buildings. Compared to traditional electric boilers, DHW heat pumps reduce electricity consumption by more than 75%, offering quiet operation, continuous hot water availability, zero combustion, minimal maintenance, and a long lifespan.
A DHW heat pump uses over 75% less electricity compared to a conventional electric boiler because it extracts renewable heat from the ambient air. While an electric boiler produces only 1 kWh of heat from 1 kWh of electricity (COP = 1), a DHW heat pump can produce more than 4 kWh of heat from the same amount of electricity (COP exceeding 4).
This efficiency translates directly into savings: a typical family of four can cut their annual domestic hot water heating costs by several hundred euros.
Although the initial investment in a DHW heat pump is slightly higher than that of a traditional electric boiler, it can typically pay for itself within just a few years. For an average household using around 200 liters of hot water per day, a DHW heat pump can reduce electricity consumption by more than 75% compared to a conventional electric boiler. This results in substantial annual energy savings, which can add up to several thousand euros over the lifespan of the system. The higher the hot water demand, the greater the potential savings.
KRONOTERM heat pumps are built to last. Many of our early-generation units have been operating reliably for 30 years or even longer, a testament to the quality of design, materials, and engineering behind every system we produce.
Modern hot water heat pumps continue this tradition of durability. With proper installation and simple periodic checks, they deliver decades of efficient, trouble-free operation. Routine maintenance is minimal: occasional filter cleaning, inspection of condensate drainage, and a quick annual system check are usually all that’s required.
Thanks to robust construction, corrosion-resistant components, and precise electronic control, performance remains stable year after year—providing quiet, efficient hot-water comfort with minimal maintenance and low ownership costs.
Equipped with a spacious water tank and intelligent control, the DHW heat pump maintains a consistent water temperature without drops, even during periods of high demand. The system rapidly regenerates hot water, providing even over 1,000 liters daily, making it ideal for families, holiday apartments, beauty salons, or commercial spaces.
During summer, it’s inefficient to run heating systems like oil, gas, or biomass solely for hot water production. Operating these systems increases costs, heat loss, and overheats spaces unnecessarily. A DHW heat pump operates independently of the heating season, utilizing warmer summer air, which boosts efficiency even further. This solution provides hot water without extra effort, emissions, or energy losses, making it the perfect summer system. Additionally, as it cools the surrounding space, its energy efficiency is enhanced.
By extracting heat from the air, DHW heat pumps significantly reduce primary energy use and CO₂ emissions. Compared to an electric boiler, a household of four can save around 1,300 kilograms of CO₂ annually—equivalent to driving over 10.000 kilometers by car. If powered by solar energy, your hot water heating can become nearly carbon-neutral, substantially lowering your household’s emissions, dependence on fossil fuels, and enhancing energy independence.
KRONOTERM DHW heat pumps feature innovative designs allowing remarkably quiet operation—below 60 dB(A), comparable to a quiet conversation. With sound-optimized construction and thoughtful component placement, noise is minimized, allowing installation near bedrooms or living spaces. Without an outdoor unit, they cause no environmental noise pollution, ideal for densely populated areas, apartment buildings, and noise-sensitive properties.
KRONOTERM DHW heat pumps are easy to operate via an app or the integrated device display. Scheduling options automatically match your routines, heating water precisely when you need it—morning or evening. Remote activation ensures hot water availability upon arrival, ideal for weekend homes or holiday apartments. Moreover, the system can automatically utilize surplus electricity from solar power installations, further reducing operational costs.
KRONOTERM DHW heat pumps are designed for easy installation in virtually any property—from private homes and apartments to commercial buildings. The compact design, various tank sizes, and wall-proximity installation ensure adaptability even in tight spaces. Angled connections and a Schuko plug enable quick installation without significant modifications to existing plumbing or electrical setups.
Every technology has its limits. Understanding the potential drawbacks of domestic hot water heat pumps helps you choose a system that overcomes them. KRONOTERM designs its heat pumps to minimize these challenges, ensuring reliable and efficient operation in any environment.
All air-source heat pumps rely on the temperature of the air they use as an energy source. When that air becomes very cold, the heat pump must work harder to extract energy, which slightly reduces efficiency.
KRONOTERM systems minimize this effect because they normally use indoor or exhaust air rather than outdoor air. Inside the home or building, air temperature is stable and moderate all year round, so the heat pump operates in its optimal range regardless of winter conditions. This design ensures steady performance, high COP values, and reliable hot-water production even when it’s freezing outside.
A hot water heat pump includes far more advanced technology than a conventional water heater: a compressor, heat exchanger, electronic expansion valve, and smart control electronics. These components increase the purchase price.
However, the higher upfront cost is quickly offset by dramatically lower running costs—often reducing electricity use by 60–70 %. With minimal maintenance requirements and a service life of 20 years or more, the total cost of ownership is actually much lower than that of a traditional electric boiler. In many cases, government subsidies or energy-efficiency grants (such as Eko Sklad or BAFA) also help reduce the initial expense.
Because a heat pump extracts energy from air, it needs enough airflow to operate efficiently. In confined or poorly ventilated rooms, performance and comfort could be reduced.
To overcome this, KRONOTERM developed KRONO-FLEX, a flexible air-management system that lets you decide where the unit draws air from and where it releases cooled air. The intake can be positioned in warmer zones (e.g. laundry room), while the exhaust can be directed into another space that benefits from dehumidified, cooler air (e.g. a storage or basement room). This setup ensures optimal circulation, quiet operation, and complete freedom in placement—even in smaller technical spaces.
A DHW heat pump works like a refrigerator—but in reverse. While a refrigerator extracts heat from inside and pushes it outside, a DHW heat pump takes heat from ambient air (such as a basement) and uses it to heat water.
Here’s how it works:
Since it doesn’t generate heat but transfers it instead, it uses four times less electricity than traditional electric boilers, making a DHW heat pump a smart, cost-effective year-round hot water solution.
To heat 200 liters of water from 10°C to a comfortable 40°C, a DHW heat pump consumes only about 1.7 kWh of electricity. This exceptional efficiency is possible due to its Coefficient of Performance (COP) above 4—meaning for every 1 kWh of electricity used, the heat pump extracts over 4 kWh of heat from the ambient air.
Energy Use Comparison:
Thus, a DHW heat pump consumes less electricity than typical household appliances while providing hot water for the entire family—even during summer, without combustion.
As the DHW heat pump heats water, it simultaneously removes heat from the space, effectively acting as a passive cooling device:
In summer, the DHW heat pump doesn’t only reduce electricity consumption for hot water—it also cools living spaces comfortably without extra costs, a highly valued feature in homes without air conditioning systems.
If connected to an air duct system or using a model with adjustable airflow, cooling can be directed precisely where needed.
Every household has different hot-water needs, but daily consumption follows a predictable pattern. A four-person household typically uses around 200 liters of hot water per day for showers, washing, and cleaning.
To cover this demand efficiently, KRONOTERM designed the ESSENTA heat pump with a 300 liter storage tank — the optimal capacity for most homes and small commercial applications.
When heated to 55 °C, this 300 L tank delivers about 530 liters of usable hot water at 40 °C per heating cycle, and with several automatic heating cycles throughout the day, it can provide over 1,000 liters of hot water daily. This ensures a steady and comfortable supply even during peak use, while maintaining excellent energy efficiency and low standby losses.
For higher demand or larger households, KRONOTERM also offers systems with extended or external storage options, guaranteeing the perfect match for every application.
Installing a domestic hot water (DHW) heat pump is simple and efficient when the right conditions are in place. The unit is typically installed in a utility room, basement, or technical space with good air circulation and access to water and electricity connections.
DHW heat pumps can use either indoor or outdoor air as their energy source. With the KRONO-FLEX air-management system, you can flexibly route air intake and exhaust or even switch between different sources and outlets — for example, drawing warm indoor air during winter and switching to outdoor air if the room becomes too cool.
This flexibility ensures optimal performance, stable efficiency, and greater comfort in every season. The system also improves ventilation and can provide light cooling and dehumidification of indoor spaces.
KRONOTERM DHW heat pumps integrate easily with photovoltaic systems, electric boilers, or smart home controls, supporting BMS communication for complete control and energy optimization.
A well-installed domestic hot water (DHW) heat pump offers many years of reliable, efficient operation. With high-quality components and regular care, its service life typically exceeds 15 to 20 years, and many KRONOTERM systems have been operating successfully for more than three decades.
Maintenance is simple and minimal. It includes cleaning the air filter, checking condensate drainage, and performing a basic annual inspection to ensure optimal efficiency and water hygiene. The sealed refrigerant circuit requires no refilling, and built-in smart controls continuously monitor performance to prevent wear and detect irregularities early.
Thanks to robust design and advanced control technology, a KRONOTERM DHW heat pump provides long-lasting comfort, stable efficiency, and low maintenance costs throughout its lifetime.
KRONOTERM DHW heat pumps are designed for complete flexibility, effortlessly integrating with existing heating systems such as gas boilers, oil furnaces, biomass systems, or photovoltaic installations. This makes them the ideal solution for hot water production in new constructions or home energy renovations.
The DHW heat pump manages hot water production year-round, while the gas boiler handles only space heating.
Using a DHW heat pump significantly reduces fuel oil consumption, eliminating the need to operate the furnace for hot water during summer months.
Enjoy continuous hot water supply without daily wood or pellet burning.
Excess solar-generated electricity can be directly utilized for heating domestic hot water, providing nearly cost-free operation.
A DHW heat pump is one of the most efficient solutions for heating domestic hot water in homes. Compared to an electric boiler, it consumes over four times less electricity. But how much can you actually save, how quickly does your investment pay off, what factors influence savings, and how can you further optimize energy use?
An electric boiler for a family of four consumes approximately 3,400 kWh of electricity per year. In comparison, a domestic hot water (DHW) heat pump requires only about 850 kWh to produce the same amount of hot water. This results in an energy saving of up to 2,550 kWh annually. Over 20 years of operation, the total energy savings can exceed 50,000 kWh—equivalent to thousands of euros depending on local electricity prices.
The initial investment for a DHW heat pump typically falls within a mid-range price bracket. Thanks to its significantly lower operating costs compared to traditional electric boilers, the investment often pays for itself within 2 to 4 years. In many countries, government subsidies are available and may reduce or even fully cover the upfront cost, depending on the program and eligibility.
A DHW heat pump offers over four times greater energy efficiency compared to a traditional electric boiler. This translates into lower costs, longer lifespan, and more environmentally friendly operation. Additional advantages include quiet operation, flexible use, and improved water temperature stability.
Optimizing schedules, operating during lower electricity tariffs, integrating with photovoltaic systems, and regular maintenance checks can further decrease electricity consumption. Employing a circulation pump and ensuring correct sizing of your system will help maximize efficiency and savings.
| Domestic Hot Water Heat Pump | Electrical Water Heater | Gas boiler | Oil boiler | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Hot Water Heating Costs (Family of 4) | 150 € | 610 € | 400 € | 500 € |
| Annual electricity consumption | 850 kWh | 3400 kWh | – | – |
| Annual CO₂ emissions (kg) | 100–200 | 800–1000 | 700–900 | 900–1100 |
| Renewable energy source | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Suitable for summer use | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Low operating costs | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Quiet operation (<60 dB) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Eligible for subsidy | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Family homes
Hair, beauty, and massage salons
Gyms and spas
Commercial kitchens and food service businesses
Holiday rentals and camping sites
Industrial facilities with high domestic hot water demand
Due to its quiet operation (below 60 dB) and sleek appearance, a DHW heat pump can easily be installed in basements, utility rooms, storage areas, or even within living spaces. Its elegant design makes it suitable for placement in residential areas as well. For optimal performance, ensure adequate airflow or use air ducts.
The installation location should be dry, well-ventilated, and protected from freezing temperatures. A recommended room volume is at least 20 m³, or there should be an option to connect air intake/outlet ducts. Additionally, you’ll need access to water supply, electricity, and provisions for condensate drainage.
KRONOTERM DHW heat pumps allow for quick, non-invasive installation due to:
In most cases, installation takes only one day and does not require major construction work.
To install a DHW heat pump, you will need:
Yes. Compared to a traditional electric boiler, a DHW heat pump can use over four times less electricity. To heat 200 liters of water to 55 °C, it consumes only around 850 kWh per year—resulting in significant annual savings on your electricity bill.
Prices for a high-quality heat pump begin at 2.000 EUR, depending on the model, tank volume, and additional features. However, the investment typically pays for itself within 2 to 4 years. Subsidies covering up to 100% of the costs are also available for eligible households.
With proper installation and regular maintenance, DHW heat pumps have a lifespan of 20 years or more.
Yes. DHW heat pumps work exceptionally well with photovoltaic systems, using surplus solar energy to heat water—allowing you to reduce operating costs to nearly zero.
Modern DHW heat pumps operate at noise levels below 60 dB(A)—quieter than a normal conversation. This makes them suitable for installation near bedrooms and in multi-residential buildings.
The size of a DHW heat pump depends on the number of occupants, hot water usage habits, and the availability of additional energy sources such as photovoltaics. A 200 L tank is typically sufficient for 1–2 people, while a 300 L tank is recommended for households with 4–5 people.
COP stands for Coefficient of Performance. It indicates how efficiently a heat pump converts electricity into heat. For example, a COP of 4 means that the heat pump produces 4 kWh of heat for every 1 kWh of electricity consumed.
The higher the COP, the lower your energy consumption and the greater your savings. A high COP is essential for choosing an efficient and cost-effective DHW heat pump.
