Press Release Back Number(2003)

Developing "Atatame Jozu (Warm Water Bathmaid)," an electric water heater with the function of heating and drying the bathroom
Realizing powerful heating and speedy drying performance at low cost

August 25, 2003

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. has developed "Atatame Jozu (Warm Water Bathmaid)," an electric water heater that heats and dries the bathroom, in cooperation with Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems Co., Ltd. This is the first time that an electric water heater with bathroom heating and drying functions has been commercialized. Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems will introduce these units at the beginning of October 2003.

Bathroom heating and drying functions are in high demand for preventing "heat shock" among the elderly, inhibiting mold growth, and drying laundry. With "Atatame Jozu," the only heat source for these functions is heat stored in the electric water heater overnight. As a result, it can make the most of inexpensive late-night electricity. In addition, the use of high-temperature water stored in the electric water heater as a heat source improves heating capacity, a weak point with conventional heater types, thereby realizing fast heating/drying.

Two types of heating/drying units can be installed in bathrooms. One is a ceiling-embedded type (installed in newly built bathrooms). The other is a wall-mounted type (installed in existing bathrooms). Select the type you need for your bathroom.

We will continue to develop a wide range of electrical appliances for all electrified residences, in this way helping to enable healthier, more comfortable lives.

Main features of the new product

(1) Adds bathroom heating and drying functions
  • - In addition to supplying hot water, filling the bathtub with hot water, keeping bath water warm, and reheating the bath, the new device increases convenience by adding bathroom heating, drying, ventilating, and cooling functions.
(2) Low operating cost
  • - This product makes the most of inexpensive late-night electricity, which reduces operating costs to less than two-thirds of gas-burning bathroom heater/dryers.
(3) Powerful heating and speedy drying through high-power performance
  • - A heating capacity of 3.6 kW is realized through warm-air heating using high-temperature water in the electric water heater. Heating time is cut roughly in half, while drying time is reduced by 30%, compared to gas-burning bathroom heater/dryers.
  • - The bathroom is quickly heated to a comfortable temperature as hot water fills the bathtub.