FAQs
Q. DO QUANTUM HEATERS REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL ELECTRIC ELEMENT BOOSTER?
A. No. Quantum has the ability to deliver from 600 to 1,600 litres of hot water
per
day without the need for additional power boosting. With the evaporation temperature
of the refrigerant being well below -10°C, it will vaporize in all weather conditions.
By
compressing that vapour, Quantum will generate heat equivalent of up to a 3.6 kW
electric
booster during its heating cycle.
Q. WILL I RUN OUT OF HOT WATER?
A. Quantum has the ability to deliver voluminous amounts of hot water. However it
must
be remembered that it is a storage system, and, if drained of hot water in a short
period, it
will need a range of 3-6 hours to recover depending on the ambient air temperature.
Q. DOES THE SYSTEM FREEZE IN WINTER?
A. No. Quantum has completely eliminated the problem of freezing, which has plagued
conventional solar systems, as no water filled panels are involved. When the evaporator
panel senses ice beginning to form, the de-ice cycle turns on and continues to run
until the
panel senses the temperature is high enough to stop.
Q. WE USE HOT WATER MOSTLY IN THE EVENING; WILL IT RECOVER BY THE MORNING?
A. Yes. Even on the coldest winter night Quantum will recover for early morning
use.
Q. WHY IS A HEAT PUMP MORE EFFICIENT THAN ELECTRIC OR GAS WATER HEATING?
A. Normal heating methods use energy such as electricity or gas to directly heat
the
water. This can never be greater than 100% (but more likely 60% - 98%) efficient.
A heat
pump only uses electrical energy to run the compressor and fan, not to heat the
water.
The heat energy actually comes from the atmosphere. This allows an efficiency of
up
to 350% or more.
Q. HOW DOES TAKING ENERGY FROM THE ATMOSPHERE MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT?
A. By using only a small amount of electrical energy to run the heat pump and fan,
it can
transfer 3 times this value; in heat energy from the atmosphere, into the water,
giving an
efficiency rating above 300% e.g. 1kW of electrical energy into the heat pump can
transfer
3.6kW of heat energy into the water.
Q. HOW MUCH CAN I EXPECT TO SAVE IN MY POWER BILLS BY USING A QUANTUM HEAT PUMP?
A. On average, the Quantum uses one third of the power to produce water in comparison
to a standard electric storage water heater.
Q. WHAT IS THE BEST POSITION FOR THE HEAT PUMP TO BE OUTSIDE THE HOUSE?
A. Keep it close to major users of hot water, i.e. the main bathroom, on-suite etc.
and
away from bedroom windows. Also, you need to bear in mind where your neighbour is
in
relation to the unit. Although not likely to concern you, you don’t want to
inconvenience
your neighbour with its location.
Q. DO I NEED TO POSITION THE UNIT ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE HOUSE?
A. The unit is unaffected by the heat of the direct sunshine. The unit operates
on the
air drawn into the units the position of the sun isn’t important. However,
if there is a
prevailing wind on a particular side of the house, we recommend you try to screen
off
the ‘chill factor’ that this may cause.
Q. CAN A QUANTUM BE INSTALLED BY ANYONE?
A. Our Domestic Compact models are simple to install, requiring no more expertise
than
for a normal mains pressure electric water heater.
Q. HOW MUCH NOISE DO THEY MAKE?
A. The domestic models have a sound level of 52dBA when running. This is similar
to the
output of a standard domestic space heating heat pump outdoor unit.
Q. WHAT IS THE WARRANTY ON THE QUANTUM UNIT?
A. There is a 5-year warranty on the water tank and integral condenser. A 2-year
warranty
covers the electrical & refrigeration components.
Q. DOES THE REFRIGERANT NEED TOPPING UP OCCASIONALLY?
A. No. Quantum is a sealed unit like a refrigerator and has silver soldered copper
joints.
This differs from, for instance, a car air-conditioning system with its hose connections
and vibrations.
Q. HOW LONG WILL THE UNIT LAST?
A. Quantum has been manufactured with great care and expertise. In fact Quantum
has
been made as the old refrigerators were made. The secret of good refrigeration practice
is cleanliness and all precautions have been made to ensure that during manufacture
and installation of a Quantum, good refrigeration practices are upheld - this is
of vital
importance. Normal life expectancy would be about 12 to 15 years.
Q. I LIVE NEAR THE WATER, WHAT EFFECT DOES SALT SPRAY HAVE ON THE UNIT?
A. As with anything made from metal, severe salt atmospheres can be detrimental.
The evaporator has been specially treated to assist with this; however, careful
positioning
of the unit to avoid salt laden air as much as possible would be advisable. We also
recommend that an anti corrosive spray be applied to the outside skin of the unit
which
can be reapplied at appropriate intervals based on exposure to sea salt air.
Q. WHERE IS THE UNIT MADE?
A. Quantum is an Australian invention and has been further developed in Australia
for
over 30 years. Quantum manufacturing takes place in our manufacturing plant
in Suzhou China.
Q. WHAT IF THE TANK FAILS, DOES IT MEAN THE WHOLE UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED?
A. The compressor unit is built on a special chassis and fixed to the top of the
unit. This
can be detached from the existing tank and connected to a replacement tank if necessary.
Q. WHAT IS THE PAYBACK PERIOD FOR A QUANTUM?
A. It depends on what the comparison is being made with, i.e. the type of heater,
type of
tariff, and the amount of hot water used. An average payback period is about 4 -
5 years.
Q. CAN QUANTUM BE USED FOR OTHER THAN DOMESTIC HOT WATER?
A. Quantum has been adapted for any applications other than just the domestic hot
water
supply. Other applications to date have been underfloor heating, pool heating, spa
heating
and glasshouse heating. Normally a different Quantum model would be used for these
other applications.