Commercial
A New Era for Commercial Hot Water in New Zealand
Across the country, the drive to decarbonise buildings is accelerating.
New sustainability standards, the move away from fossil fuels, and rising energy costs are pushing consultants and developers to find smarter ways to produce hot water at scale.
In this landscape, R290 natural-refrigerant heat-pump systems are emerging as the gold standard for efficiency and reliability.
Waterware introduced R290 technology to New Zealand in 2019 and has since delivered over 50 commercial installations nationwide, setting the benchmark for sustainable performance.
Why R290 Leads the Change
R290 (refrigerant-grade propane) has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3, compared with more than 600 for many synthetic refrigerants.
That difference translates directly to environmental performance.
When used in multi-pass Ritter R290 systems, the results are significant:
- Flow temperatures up to 75 °C with no electric element boosting
- Wide operating range allowing heat pump only operation under draw off, recovery and maintenance cycles
- Operation down to –25 °C ambient
- COP > 4 at 7 °C/35 °C
- Up to 50 percent lower OPEX than LPG
- Up to 400 percent more efficient than electric elements
For engineers and facility managers, R290 offers measurable carbon reduction without compromising reliability or output.
From Components to Complete Systems
Waterware delivers more than products. Each system is modelled end-to-end through our in-house design software, PureFlow, ensuring every component is optimised for performance and compliance before procurement begins.
A complete PureFlow system typically includes:
- Ritter R290 heat pumps – high-temperature, multi-pass design
- Protank cylinders – stainless steel high pressure cylinders
- Caleffi pressure and temperature control valves
- Bmeters – IOT watermetering system
The result is a fully integrated ecosystem that simplifies specification, installation, and commissioning.
Hybrid Systems for Continuous Supply
Certain facilities such as hospitals or aged-care sites need absolute reliability.
Waterware’s hybrid plantroom configuration pairs R290 heat pumps with Vaillant condensing gas boilers, controlled by smart logic that activates gas only when required.
This combination maintains sustainability targets while ensuring uninterrupted service in high-demand conditions.
Case Study: Aged-Care Redevelopment Success
A national aged-care provider replaced a 300 kW gas plant supplying heating and domestic hot water.
Decarbonisation was critical, but service continuity was essential.
Waterware supplied dual systems — one for hot water and one for heating and cooling, using Ritter R290 heat pumps with Messana controls and gas backup.
Results included:
- Consistent 65 °C hot water without boosting
- 40 percent annual energy saving
- Major carbon emission reduction
- Added radiant cooling through existing infrastructure
It demonstrates how thoughtful system design can meet sustainability goals while improving comfort and reliability.
Click here to see some of the case studies Waterware has completed
Digital Design that Delivers Certainty
Traditional coordination between consultants, suppliers, and contractors can take weeks.
With PureFlow, design time is reduced to days.
The platform automatically calculates load, carbon savings, and lifecycle cost, producing schematics and bills of materials ready for specification.
That means certainty before tender, not after construction.
Procurement Confidence with SmartCart
Material availability is a growing concern in the construction sector.
SmartCart, Waterware’s procurement system, lets customers pre-order complete kits, lock in pricing for up to 12 months, and schedule delivery as projects progress.
This approach ensures stable supply chains and predictable project costs for multi-stage or nationwide developments.
Tested and Proven in New Zealand Conditions
From Whangārei to Invercargill, Waterware systems operate in varied climates and applications.
Our engineering team supports every installation with local expertise, detailed schematics, and on-site commissioning.
Partnering with Caleffi, Ritter, Vaillant, Uponor, and Messana, Waterware ensures every component meets international standards and New Zealand’s compliance requirements.
The Future of Commercial Hot Water
Decarbonisation is no longer optional for New Zealand buildings.
With the right partners, it becomes a competitive advantage.
Waterware’s R290 commercial hot-water solutions combine natural-refrigerant efficiency, proven technology, and complete system integration to help the industry build smarter, cleaner, and more resilient facilities.
Get Started
Ready to design your next low-carbon hot-water system?
Model your project in PureFlow and receive a fully costed, performance-verified proposal within 48 hours.
🔹 Book a Design Consultation – 09 273 9191
🔹 Download the R290 Commercial Brochure
You might also be interested in…