Econergy's Kiwi-made water heaters earn SBN award

Mayor Len Brown, and Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse present Econergy's David Senn with the NZI National Sustainable Business Network Award for Mega Efficiency Impact. Photo: Dave Olsen

Econergy, designers and manufacturers of innovative heat pump water heaters, won the Mega Efficiency Impact section of the recent NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards in recognition of their work.

The company saw its beginnings around eight years ago. Its founder, David Senn, was working in engineering as a mechanical consultant. He found himself unable to put a gas system into his own home, because of body corporate regulations, so he started investigating possible alternatives.

He noticed large-scale water heating systems had been used in the dairy industry for wash-down water. Realising the technology could possibly be used for residential purposes, Senn spent his weekends building some prototype heat pump water heaters, before eventually leaving his day job in January 2006 and founding Econergy.

The business is flourishing, and bucking the growing trend of equipment being produced in Asia. They assemble and test their units here, as well as buying components from 30 to 40 local businesses. Senn says Econergy takes this approach to ensure intellectual property protection and consistent quality.

"Six people make up Econergy, and three are in full-time manufacturing, achieving a great rate of production. "We're churning out about 30 a month at the moment."
Econergy currently has one investor and intends to upscale, and larger deals are on the horizon. The company will often be quoting for two dozen units within a residential development.

The biggest project the company is involved in is Hobsonville Point, overseen by Willis Bond & Co., involving many compact houses with heat pump water heaters, fresh rainwater tanks, LED lighting, and a high grade of insulation as standard to ensure energy efficiency.

But this is only the beginning for sustainable energy.

"The next big thing is smart metering and smart appliances in a smart system, where they're all connected up to a wireless network," Senn says.

"The smart meter is able to figure out what the spot price of power is, and figure out whether to switch on or switch off appliances depending on whether the cost of power is low or high."

Senn thinks the biggest challenge for the business going forward is achieving public awareness of what a heat pump water heater is and communicating the savings they are making on hot water heating bills - typically over two thirds.

"There's an awesome story there, but it's not being told. The government's role should be to make people aware that this technology is available, and what it can do for them."