Eco Cute Flash News 2007-09-18

Industrial Eco Cute models on the rise Heat pump air conditioning systems are growing steadily in the air conditioning market. Mitsubishi Electronics, a leading supplier of Eco Cute units for industrial use, has developed its “SunnypackQ Eco” unit with 40 kW power. According to Kucho Times, first deliveries are expected for October 2007. The unit has a newly developed invertor scroll CO2 compressor. Achieving a Coefficient of Performance of 4.1, the unit also reduces CO2 emissions by 40% compared to conventional boilers. TOSHIBA releases Hybrid Hot Water Systems Toshiba will release two system types combining a heat pump hot water system and an electric hot water system. According to Denki Shimbun, the new products feature a tank capacity of 460 and 560 litres, an automatic air release system and a pipe reverse checking system which is the same as TOSHIBA’s Eco Cute models. 91,000 shipments of Eco Cute in three months According to Denpa Shimbun, in the period April-June 2007 EcoCute shipments totaled about 91,000 units – an increase of 30% compared to the same period in 2006. Hitachi launches new Eco Cute series According to Denki Shimbun, Hitachi Appliance will commercialize a new range of Eco Cute products: two types of its Z-series with voice response and two types of its ZA-series which feature an additional automatic stopping of the hot water supply. Both series have 370 and 480 litres storage tanks. Grants for Eco Cute The Chubu Electric Power Company has set up a grant system for EcoCute installations in cooperation with the cities Seto, Oogaki, and Suzuka. According to the newspaper “Yomiuri Shimbun Osaka”, grants will be available for citizens of these cities having an Eco Cute unit installed at home. Similar incentive schemes have been set up in other cities where grants can cover up to 50% of the installation cost.