Emerald Planet 320L
Ecobulb NZ

- 5.2
- COP
- 320 L
- Tank
- 7.5c
- Running Cost/kWh
- 49 standard; ≤39 at 3m in silent mode dB(A)
- Noise
- R290
- Refrigerant
- —
- Installed from
Who is it a good fit for?
- Noise-sensitive installations — the ≤39 dB silent mode is among the quietest of any integrated HPHW unit available in New Zealand. Ideal if the unit will be installed near a bedroom window or on a shared wall.
- Solar homes — Solar Soaker mode schedules heating to absorb surplus PV generation without requiring a separate solar controller or smart relay.
- Families of 4–5 (270L) or 5+ people (320L) — wanting high-efficiency hot water with genuine app control and safety features.
- Hygiene-conscious households — the automatic daily Legionella sterilisation cycle adds peace of mind without manual intervention.
Review
Performance & Efficiency:
The available in 220L and 320L model posts the highest COP (5.2) of the three sizes — unusual, as larger tanks typically carry a slight efficiency penalty in this category. All models use a DC inverter compressor that continuously adjusts to ambient conditions rather than cycling on and off, which delivers consistent efficiency across a wider range of temperatures. The optional -E variant adds a 1.6kW element for backup boosting.
Features:
- The standout feature is silent mode: which drops noise to ≤39 dB(A) at 3 metres by reducing fan speed, making this one of the quietest integrated heat pumps available in New Zealand.
- Solar Soaker, Emerald’s PV diversion mode: schedules heating around solar generation windows without needing a separate controller.
- Legionella auto-cycle: runs a daily high-temperature sterilisation cycle automatically — a safety feature often absent in lower-cost units which may run these cycles less often.
- The Emerald app (iOS/Android): handles scheduling, timers, and remote control.
Supply & Service Network:
The Emerald Planet is the premium product in the Ecobulb NZ range, an Australian-designed DC inverter heat pump from Emerald Energy, a company with roots in the renewable energy sector since 2006.
Specs
Emerald Planet 320LCost & efficiency
- Typical installed price
- —
- COP (rated)
- 5.2
- Test conditions
- A20/15°C, Water 15–55°C
- Test standard
- AS/NZS 4234
- Eff. cost/kWh
- 7.5c
- Input power
- 0.53 kW
- Heating capacity
- 2.7 kW
- Household size
- 5+ people
Hot water performance
- Tank size
- 320 L
- Max temperature
- 60 °C
- Hot water output
- 58 L/hr @ ΔT=40°C (standard); 112 L/hr booster with element
- Recovery rate
- 58 L/hr standard; 112 L/hr booster (with element)
- Max water pressure
- —
- Tank material
- Enamel (carbon steel + diamond enamel; 2.5mm wall / 3.0mm dome)
- Tank insulation
- Not provided
- Backup element
- Optional 1.6 kW element (EE-HWS-A1-320E); standard no element
Installation & dimensions
- System type
- Integral (all-in-one)
- Indoor / outdoor
- Outdoor all-in-one vertical unit
- Min clearance / space
- See installation manual
- Min space required
- See installation manual
- Dimensions (H×W×D mm)
- 600×600×2050mm (W×D×H)
- Unit weight (empty)
- —
Climate & environment
- Refrigerant
- R290 (GWP 3)
- Operating range
- -7 °C to 43 °C
- Noise
- 49 standard; ≤39 at 3m in silent mode dB(A)
- Heating capacity
- 2.7 kW
Controls & features
- Display type
- —
- Control modes
- Standard / Silent / Booster modes; 3 timers + weekly; Solar Soaker; Legionella auto-cycle; Emerald app
- Smart / Wi-Fi
- Yes
- Solar PV ready
- Yes
Warranty & support
- Tank warranty
- 5 years system
- Parts & labour warranty
- 2 years labour and service
- Installer restriction
- Any licensed plumber
- Supplier / brand
- Ecobulb NZ