Energy-efficient hot water for your home or business. Domestic hot water heat pump installation, servicing, repairs and preventative maintenance — assessed to your property, not a template.
Looking for a more energy-efficient way to heat water? GreaseFlow Solar Water Heating provides domestic hot water heat pump installation, servicing, repairs and preventative maintenance in Cape Town and surrounding areas.
A hot water heat pump uses energy from the surrounding air to heat water for showers, baths, kitchens and other everyday needs. Instead of relying entirely on an electrical element to generate heat, it transfers heat from the air into your water-heating system.
Whether you are upgrading an existing geyser, building a new property or looking for an alternative to conventional electric water heating, we can assess your requirements and recommend a suitable solution. With over 20 years of industry experience, our focus is on practical recommendations, professional workmanship and reliable hot water systems.
The basics
A domestic hot water heat pump is a system designed to heat water by extracting heat energy from the surrounding air.
It operates using a refrigeration cycle, similar in principle to an air conditioner working in reverse. The system collects heat from the air and transfers it to the water stored in a geyser or compatible hot water tank.
Because it moves heat rather than generating all the heat directly through electrical resistance, a properly selected and installed heat pump can use substantially less electricity than a conventional electric geyser under suitable operating conditions.
Performance depends on the equipment, surrounding air temperature, water temperature requirements, hot water usage and installation design.
How it works
A typical domestic heat pump works through four main stages:
A fan draws surrounding air across an evaporator, where refrigerant absorbs heat.
A compressor raises the refrigerant's pressure and temperature.
The hot refrigerant transfers heat to the water through a heat exchanger.
The refrigerant returns to its original state so the process can repeat.
The result is hot water produced using heat drawn from the surrounding air and electricity to operate the system. Some installations also use an electric backup element when additional heating is required or when specified by the system design.
Our heat pump services
From first-time installations to servicing an existing unit — we assess the property before recommending any work.
We install heat pumps for suitable residential properties and selected commercial applications. Before recommending a unit, we consider the number of people using hot water, geyser capacity, daily consumption, available installation space, pipework and electrical requirements.
Selects a system for your demand — not the largest unitIn suitable cases, a compatible heat pump can be connected to an existing geyser or storage tank. We assess the tank's condition, capacity, pressure rating, connections and compatibility with the proposed equipment.
Keeps a serviceable existing tank where suitableIf your current heat pump is unreliable, inefficient or beyond economical repair, replacement may be worth considering. We assess the existing equipment before recommending a replacement, and consider whether the existing geyser, pipework and controls can be retained.
Reuses existing infrastructure where viableA heat pump that fails to heat water properly may have an electrical, control, circulation, refrigerant-system or component fault. We investigate problems like insufficient hot water, unusual noises, error codes, water leaks, repeated switch-offs or higher-than-expected electricity consumption.
Find the cause before recommending repairsRegular maintenance can help identify developing faults, maintain performance and extend equipment life. Depending on the manufacturer's requirements and the system installed, a service may include inspecting the unit, checking for leaks and corrosion, cleaning accessible filters, checking fan operation, and reviewing operating temperatures.
Following the manufacturer's service scheduleRefrigerant-system work must be handled by appropriately qualified and authorised personnel. Where applicable, we arrange the relevant compliance documentation for work within our authorised scope.
Common reported problems
These are the issues we investigate most often. The correct repair depends on the cause — we inspect the system before recommending repairs or component replacement.
Benefits
Heat pump vs solar geyser
Both systems can reduce the electricity used to heat water, but they work differently.
Extracts heat from surrounding air and uses electricity to run its compressor, fan and controls.
May suit properties where roof space for solar collectors is limited, or where the owner prefers an air-source system.
Uses a solar collector to capture energy from sunlight and transfer it to stored water.
May be attractive where there is good solar exposure and a suitable location for collectors.
The best option depends on the property's layout, hot water demand, installation budget, maintenance requirements and expected operating costs. We can assess the available options and explain the differences before you decide.
System sizing
Choosing the correct heat pump involves more than matching the unit to the geyser.
Not sure of the right size? Book a sizing assessment and we'll recommend a configuration for your property.
Book a Sizing AssessmentOur process
Six steps. No surprises.
Tell us about your property, current geyser, household size and hot water requirements.
We assess the existing hot water installation, proposed unit location, airflow, pipework and electrical requirements.
We recommend an appropriate heat pump and explain any additional equipment or modifications needed.
A quotation outlining proposed equipment, installation work and any additional requirements identified during the assessment.
The agreed work is carried out in accordance with applicable requirements and the equipment manufacturer's installation instructions.
We check the completed installation, verify operation within the applicable commissioning requirements and explain basic operation and maintenance.
Why GreaseFlow
Every property has different hot water requirements. Our goal is to help you choose a practical solution based on your existing installation, daily consumption and budget.
Common questions
The cost depends on the unit's capacity, brand, installation complexity, existing geyser compatibility, pipework and electrical requirements. We recommend an assessment before providing a quotation.
Sometimes. The tank must be compatible with the heat pump and suitable for the operating conditions. We inspect the existing installation before confirming whether it can be retained.
Yes. Electricity powers the compressor, fan and controls. However, the system also transfers heat from the air into the water, which can make it more energy-efficient than direct electric resistance heating.
Yes, provided it operates within the manufacturer's specified conditions. Colder air can reduce heating performance and increase the time needed to heat water. Some systems may use supplementary heating when necessary.
Neither option is automatically best for every property. A heat pump extracts heat from the air, while a solar geyser uses solar collectors. The right choice depends on your property, usage, budget and installation conditions.
Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule and arrange periodic inspections appropriate to the equipment and operating environment. Preventative maintenance can help identify wear, airflow restrictions, leaks and other developing issues.
A correctly selected and installed system can supply a home's hot water needs. The unit and storage capacity must be matched to the number of occupants and their usage patterns.
Request an assessment
Ready to upgrade your hot water system? GreaseFlow Solar Water Heating can assess your property, explain your options and provide a quotation for installation, repairs or preventative maintenance in Cape Town and surrounding areas.