Eco Cute' Boils Water by Harnessing Hot air
Many people may have seen or heard the word 'Eco Cute' in TV commercials or other ads recently. Eco Cute is the name of a water-heating system to boil water by the heat pump method, which is very economical and eco-friendly.
The Kyoto Protocol has prescribed the amounts of greenhouse effect gases emitted by advanced countries to be reduced. In accordance with this prescription, Japan has promised to the international community to reduce its emissions by 6% from those in 1990 over the period of 2008 to 2012. However, this means that, for example, if we look at the emissions in 2006, a significant reduction of almost 12.5% is required. Therefore, we need to take action urgently.
![[Image] Transition in the emissions of greenhouse effect gases in Japan](/environment/showcase/speco_technique/ecocute/images/img_01-01.gif)
Source: 'The Amount of Greenhouse Effect Gas Emissions (Definite Values) in Fiscal Year 2005' Issued by the Ministry of the Environment (as of May 29, 2007)
Meanwhile, if looking at the final energy consumption by sector in the whole country, we find that consumption at home constitutes approximately 15%. Of this, energy consumption for hot water supply makes up approximately 29%, showing that energy-saving in hot water supply is a key to environmental measures for the home.
![[Image] The 'hot water supply' occupies about 30% of energy used! One of the major keys to the reduction of household CO2 emissions is energy saving in hot water supply.](/environment/showcase/speco_technique/ecocute/images/img_01-c01.gif)
![[Image] Final energy consumption by sector](/environment/showcase/speco_technique/ecocute/images/img_01-02.gif)
Source: 'The Digest of Energy and Economic Statistics 2007' Issued by the Institution of Energy Economics, Japan
Under these circumstances, Eco Cute has attracted attention as being able to make significant reductions to electric power consumption at home. The cumulative unit sales have already surpassed one million since it was launched on the market in 2001. The Japanese government also encourages the greater use of Eco Cute by offering a subsidy for its installation with a goal to install 5.2 million units in total by 2010.
![[Image] Achieving an energy saving of approx. 30%! The Eco Cute can boil water efficiently with less electrical power.](/environment/showcase/speco_technique/ecocute/images/img_01-c02.gif)
Since Eco Cute boils water efficiently with less electrical power, we can expect effective energy savings of approximately 30% compared to conventional combustion-type water heaters. This is enabled by the use of heat pump technology, which is the same as that of air conditioners and refrigerators.
Heat pump literally means a pump to pump heat. For example, for refrigerators, it absorbs the heat of the internal air and radiates the heat from a radiator plate on the backside of the refrigerator to refrigerate food.
For the cooling function of air conditioners, the heat pump also cools a room by moving the heat just as it does for refrigerators, absorbing the heat of air in the room and radiating it from the outdoor unit.
![[Image] Mechanism of heat pump](/environment/showcase/speco_technique/ecocute/images/img_01_03.gif)
![[Image] Mechanism of the Eco Cute](/environment/showcase/speco_technique/ecocute/images/img_01-05.gif)
Source: 'Q & A about Eco Cute, a heat pump water-heating system for the home' By the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association
Eco Cute consists of a 'heat pump unit' to absorb the heat of air and heat water up to approx. 90 degrees, and a 'hot water storage unit' to store water. In the heat pump unit, the heat of air is changed to energy with the heat exchanger for the air, and the heat exchanger for the water heating boils water using this energy. The reason why Eco Cute can boil water with less electricity is that it uses electricity for collecting the heat of air only.
In fact, it can boil water with one third or one fourth of the electric power consumption of that used to boil water by electricity only.
![[Image] You make savings on your monthly electric bill of about \1,400! You can make savings on your electricity bill by making use of the discounted midnight power services.](/environment/showcase/speco_technique/ecocute/images/img_01-c03.gif)
Eco Cute uses CO2 as a refrigerant to absorb the heat of air. Unlike chlorofluorocarbon, CO2 used as a refrigerant is an ideal natural refrigerant whose ozone-breaking factor is zero, without combustibility and toxicity.
![[Image] Annual running costs are reduced by about one fifth. Greenhouse effect gas emissions are reduced by approx. 40%.](/environment/showcase/speco_technique/ecocute/images/img_01-06.gif)
The monthly standard running cost of Eco Cute is quite reasonable at between approximately 1,000 to 1,400 yen, though it may vary slightly depending on the lifestyle of the family or community. You can make savings not only on your electricity bill but also in CO2 emissions by making use of the various services available, including the discounted midnight power services.
In the next part, the features of the latest model of Hitachi's Eco Cute will be explained thoroughly. Hitachi's perspective on eco-consciousness is a little different from that of other companies.
High-capacity Eco Cute is also useful for restaurants and stores!
Eco Cute is not only for home use. Hitachi's Eco Cute can meet business needs requiring the use of large amounts of hot water. Up to two units of hot water storage unit combined with a heat pump unit can be added, depending on the volume of hot water usage. You can also use the Eco Cute for electrical kitchens and bath facilities.
![[Image] Eco Cute for business needs](/environment/showcase/speco_technique/ecocute/images/img_01-07.jpg)
