Kyungdong Navien(009450) said on the 14th that it released the "Navien air-source water heater," which enables fast, stable hot water supply with a hybrid system that combines a heat pump and an electric heater. It plans to speed up electrification in heating and hot water by expanding its heat pump lineup from air-source boilers to air-source water heaters.
The Navien air-source water heater applies heat pump technology that heats water using thermal energy in the air. Under normal conditions, it produces hot water with low power using air heat, and when hot water demand surges, the electric heater assists in a hybrid mode. The company said it can reduce the risk of hot water shortages compared with conventional storage-type electric water heaters while improving energy efficiency.
According to Kyungdong Navien, tests on a model introduced in the North American market with the same specifications as the domestic model showed that its cumulative hot water supply over four hours was about 60% higher than conventional storage-type electric water heaters, and its energy efficiency was more than four times higher. This is expected to save about 500,000 won a year in operating costs.
It targets commercial facilities with high hot water usage, including restaurants, cafes, pensions, hair salons, sports facilities and office buildings, as its main demand sources. In particular, it can be expected to provide stable supply and cut operating costs in environments where multiple users use hot water continuously.
Ease of use was also improved. It offers five operation modes — ▲ heat pump only ▲ auto saving ▲ rapid overheating ▲ electric heater only ▲ extended away — so users can run it efficiently according to their environment. Users can change modes via the Navien Smart app and preset desired modes by day and time for automatic operation.
The product's hygiene, durability and safety were also reinforced. It features a corrosion-resistant stainless steel hot water tank and provides a hygienic hot water environment with a "Legionella prevention" function that maintains the inside of the tank at set intervals. It also adds freeze protection and an optional leak detection system that automatically shuts off the mains line when a leak is detected to safeguard living spaces.
Kyungdong Navien opened the "Navien heating electrification center" in Jeju on May 5 and has been expanding its electrification business in heating and hot water, including the launch of an air-source boiler. It established a domestic production system for heat pump products by producing air-source boilers and air-source water heaters at its Pyeongtaek plant.
A Kyungdong Navien official said, "The air-source water heater combines our accumulated hot water expertise in domestic and overseas markets with heat pump technology," and added, "We will lead the era of energy transition by providing efficient heating and hot water solutions centered on air-source boilers and air-source water heaters."