Press Release Back Number(2004)

Development and Sales of Multifunctional EcoCute Equipped with Floor Heating, Bathroom Heating/Drying, and Bath Reheating Functions

November 4, 2004
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

In partnership with Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems Co., Ltd. (President: Yoshihiko Nakayama; 23-2, Kanda Suda-cho 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), we have developed the Atatame Jozu, a natural refrigerant CO₂ heat pump water heater (EcoCute*1). This is the industry's first multifunctional EcoCute capable of providing four functions: water heating, floor heating, bathroom heating/drying, and bath reheating.

Performing water heating simultaneously with floor heating or bathroom heating/drying requires a large amount of heat. Providing a water reheating function for bathtubs requires larger heated water tanks and heat pumps with even more power.

In an alternative approach, we have adopted a heating cycle in which if the amount of heat in the tank is reduced by heating, hot water from the heat pump is not stored in the tank, but is used directly in floor heating or bathroom heating/drying. We also developed a reheating cycle that circulates hot water to the upper section of the tank and maintains the volume required (90 liters at 65°C or higher) for reheating, thereby achieving a multifunctional EcoCute.

Thanks to the development of a two-way heat controlling system*2 and use of cheaper off-peak power, operating costs will be approximately one-third that of gas water heaters offering floor heating and bathroom heating/drying functions (according to Chubu Electric Power estimates).

This newly developed multifunctional EcoCute provides comfortable home heating at lower cost. It is our hope that it will provide a more effective option in fully electrified homes.

This product will be sold by Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems from November 25, 2004 for use in new homes ready to meet next-generation energy saving standards.

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2. Product lineup