Residential Packaged Units - 60Hz Puron
®
Rev.: 4 Jan., 2012
16
Electric water heaters are recommended. If a gas, propane, 
or oil water heater is used, a second preheat tank must be 
installed (Figure 15). If the electric water heater has only a 
single center element, the dual tank system is recommended 
to insure a usable entering water temperature for the HWG.
Typically a single tank of at least 52 gallons (235 liters) is 
used to limit installation costs and space. However, a dual 
tank, as shown in Figure 15, is the most effi cient system, 
providing the maximum storage and temperate source water 
to the HWG.
It is always advisable to use water softening equipment on 
domestic water systems to reduce the scaling potential and 
lengthen equipment life. In extreme water conditions, it may 
be necessary to avoid the use of the HWG option since the 
potential cost of frequent maintenance may offset or exceed 
any savings. Consult Table 3 for scaling potential tests.
Hot Water Generator
The HWG (Hot Water Generator) or desuperheater option 
provides considerable operating cost savings by utilizing 
excess heat energy from the heat pump to help satisfy 
domestic hot water requirements. The HWG is active 
throughout the year, providing virtually free hot water when 
the heat pump operates in the cooling mode or hot water at 
the COP of the heat pump during operation in the heating 
mode. Actual HWG water heating capacities are provided in 
the appropriate heat pump performance data.
Heat pumps equipped with the HWG option include a built-
in water to refrigerant heat exchanger that eliminates the 
need to tie into the heat pump refrigerant circuit in the fi eld. 
The control circuit and pump are also built in for residential 
equipment. Figure 14 shows a typical example of HWG water 
piping connections on a unit with built-in circulating pump. 
This piping layout reduces scaling potential.
The temperature set point of the HWG is fi eld selectable 
to 125°F or 150°F .  The 150°F  set point allows more heat 
storage from the HWG.  For example, consider the amount 
of heat that can be generated by the HWG when using the 
125°F set point, versus the amount of heat that can be 
generated by the HWG when using the 150°F set point.
In a typical 50 gallon two-element electric water heater 
the lower element should be turned down to 100°F, or the 
lowest setting, to get the most from the HWG.  The tank will 
eventually stratify so that the lower 80% of the tank, or 40 
gallons, becomes 100°F (controlled by the lower element).  
The upper 20% of the tank, or 10 gallons, will be maintained 
at 125°F (controlled by the upper element).
Using a 125°F set point, the HWG can heat the lower 40 
gallons of water from 100°F to 125°F, providing up to 8,330 
btu’s of heat.  Using the 150°F set point, the HWG can heat 
the same 40 gallons of water from 100°F to 150°F and the 
remaining 10 gallons of water from 125°F to 150°F, providing 
a total of up to 18,743 btu’s of heat, or more than twice as 
much heat as when using the 125°F set point.
This example ignored standby losses of the tank.  When 
those losses are considered the additional savings are even 
greater.
Figure 14: Typical HWG Installation
Figure 15: HWG Double Tank In stal la tion
 WARNING! 
WARNING! 
 A 150°F SETPOINT MAY LEAD TO 
SCALDING OR BURNS.  THE 150°F SET POINT MUST 
ONLY BE USED ON SYSTEMS THAT EMPLOY AN 
APPROVED ANTI-SCALD VALVE.
Upper 
element to
120 - 130°F
[49 - 54°C]
Cold Inlet From
Domestic Supply
Hot Outlet
Shut-Off Valve #3
Shut-Off Valve #4
Shut-Off 
Valve #2
Shut-Off 
Valve #1
Insulated Water Lines -
Powered
Water Heater
Lower 
element to
100 - 110°F
[38 - 43°C]
Field Supplied
3/4” Brass Nipple
and “T”
Upper 
element to
120 - 130°F
[49 - 54°C]
Cold Inlet
Cold Inlet From
Domestic Supply
Hot Outlet
To House
Hot Outlet
Shut-Off Valve #3
Shut-Off Valve #4
Shut-Off 
Valve #2
Shut-Off 
Valve #1
Insulated Water Lines -
5/8” OD, 50 ft Maximum
[16mm OD, 15 Meters Maximum]
Unpowered
Water Heater
Powered
Water Heater
Lower 
element to
110 - 120°F
[43 - 49°C]
Field Supplied
3/4” Brass Nipple
and “T”