Hot Water on Demand: The New Uponor Combi Port E-Hybrid Flat Station

The demand-based hot water supply reduces stagnation to a minimum, significantly decreasing the risk of legionella. On-demand hot water supply reduces energy consumption. The high degree of industrial prefabrication and quality ensures time savings in the planning and implementation phase.

The shift towards electrification and energy-saving solutions is accelerating, driving the market from gas generators to heat pumps. However, when combined with on-demand domestic hot water systems like Heat Interface Units (HIU), this transition can lead to reduced flow rates, causing user discomfort and higher energy consumption. In many cases, additional booster pumps are required to compensate for pressure losses, adding to installation complexity and operational costs. The new Uponor Combi Port E-Hybrid flat station features an integrated electrical heater on the heating side of the HIU. This eliminates additional pressure losses on the tap water side, removing the need for an extra booster pump. Combined with the significantly higher tap flow rates of 15 l/min in comparison to previous 12 l/min, the solution enhances the overall user comfort.

Decentralized hot water supply: hygienic and energy-saving
Decentralized stations are characterized by their energy-efficient performance and hygiene benefits. While traditional centralized systems continuously heat water, leading to energy waste and unnecessary heat loss, decentralized systems heat water only when needed. Heat Interface Units provide demand-based hot water, decreasing stagnation to a minimum and therefore ensuring high drinking water quality. And as water does not have to be constantly supplied, the on-demand supply leads to reduced energy consumption.

Next generation on-demand hot water supply for heat pump installations
Despite the many advantages of a decentralized system, the combination of on-demand hot water supply in combination with heat pumps can lead to reduced tap water flow rates. Additional booster pumps are needed to compensate for pressure losses, adding to installation complexity and operational costs. “The growing demand for sustainable heat systems such as heat pumps calls for new on-demand hot water supply solutions for low temperature systems,” says Torsten Maier. “Our answer is the new Combi Port E-Hybrid with the integrated heater on the heating side of the HIU. It features significantly higher tap flow rates and optimized energy use, ensuring hot water without unnecessary waste, enhancing both user experience and sustainability.”

Prefabricated unit: reliable planning and reduced installation effort
The ready-to-connect flat station Uponor Combi Port E-Hybrid offers a high degree of industrial prefabrication and quality, reducing sources of error in planning, ordering and installation. Practical experience shows, prefabricated HIUs save up to a third of the installation and set-up time for the entire system. Another advantage of the prefabricated flat stations is that less material needs to be transported to the construction site.

Uponor Combi Port E-Hybrid at a glance:

• 18% energy savings in heat pump installations, optimizing performance and reducing energy consumption
• 25% increased maximum flow rate for higher comfort: 15 L/min compared to previous 12 L/min
• 88% less pressure drop in normal operation: pressure drop reduced to 0.2 Bar @ 9 L/min, down from 1.7 Bar
• Electronic controlled HIU
• Suitable for heat pump application
• 10K increase @ 15 l/min from booster, 14,4 kW / 400V/25A
• Inwall Depth <150 mm
• Booster - instantaneous water heater
• Tolerance T ± 1°C
• Booster – internal outlet temperature control
• Heat exchanger
• 3 - way motor valve fast reaction
• Δp DHW 0,35 bar @ 15l/min
• Temperature Lean Module
• Compact design
• Uponor designed controller with outside modbus communication temp setting and tapping control on/off, tap recognition
• Cabinet with ball valve rail and manifolds