My A/C installer tells me that Heat Recovery Units (Desuperheaters) do not work with XXXXX brand air conditioning systems. Which brands are ok to use?
Any air conditioner or heat pump that produces hot refrigerant at temperatures above 130° F as the gas leaves the compressor is suitable for desuperheating; that includes models that use the new R410 refrigerant. They also work with all brands, limited only by temperatures. The hotter the refrigerant gets when your air conditioner is running, the more heat you can extract and turn into hot water. The higher the energy efficiency (SEER) rating, the cooler the refrigerant temperature may be, giving the Heat Recovery Unit less to work with and slowing the production of free hot water. Some super high SEER models (18 SEER and up) don’t always get hot gas temperatures above 130° F. The desuperheater doesn’t operate under this condition. Ask your A/C contractor about the SEER and the operating hot gas temperature of the air conditioning system that is being presented to you, so you can make your own informed decision.
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