Since its launch in 2001, the Household Natural Refrigerant Heat Pump Water Heater (hereinafter referred to as Eco Cute*), which has been used by many people for about a quarter of a century. To celebrate the achievement of cumulative shipments of 10 million units in March 2025, on Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association, the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan, and Heat Pump & Thermal Storage Technology Center of Japan(hereinafter referred to as HPTCJ)jointly held the "Eco Cute 10 Million Units Achievement Commemorative Ceremony - History and Future Woven by Heat Pumps", with approximately 460 people in attendance.
The achievement of shipping 10 million Eco Cute units is proof that heat pump technology, which utilizes heat from the air to contribute to energy savings and comfortable living, has become widespread in society, and is a major step toward realizing a sustainable society.
At the venue, the first Eco Cute unit was on special display, and the history of the unit was reviewed. The latest models from each manufacturer were also on display, allowing visitors to experience the latest functions and designs, and to once again realize the evolution and potential of Eco Cute.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Komiyama, Chairman of HPTCJ, expressed his gratitude for the milestone of 10 million units shipped of Eco Cute. He also emphasized that "heat pump technology," which pumps up heat from the air as a renewable energy source, is a key technology toward decarbonization, and that he expects to see benefits that Eco Cute will have on society in the future. He also emphasized that 10 million units is merely a "milestone" in the potential market of 60 million households in Japan.
Guests of honor included Yoshifumi Murase, Director-General of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Shogo Shukumoto, Deputy Director-General, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; and Kentaro Doi, Director-General, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment. They congratulated the achievement of 10 million units and expressed their expectations for further energy conservation in the residential sector through the expansion of heat pump water heaters.
In addition, the keynote speeches were given by Michiyuki Saikawa, Honorary Senior Advisor at the Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry, who has been involved in the development of heat pumps, and Yasuhiro Hayashi, Director of the Waseda Center for Carbon Neutral Society, who has been centrally involved in the study of further utilization of demand response (DR).
Mr. Saikawa spoke about the development of Eco Cute in a talk entitled "The History of Eco Cute Development: The Significance of Heat Pumps." He talked about the difficulties he faced in commercializing a highly efficient device by thoroughly examining the use of CO2 refrigerant and heating and cooling methods, and by fundamentally reviewing the heating method and cycle. He also talked about how Eco Cute is an excellent energy-saving technology as well as a technology that utilizes renewable energy.
Mr. Hayashi gave a lecture titled "Toward the Spread and Expansion of Heat Pump Water Heaters through Decarbonization and Digitalization," and talked about the social role that heat pump water heaters should play in decarbonizing heat demand, and the importance of using Eco Cute as a demand response that utilizes surplus solar power generation (PV) through digitalization. In addition, he mentioned that Japan's manufacturing capacity of heat pump water heaters is the top in the world. Also, he gave a lecture on the possibility of strengthening industrial competitiveness with Eco Cute, which has a demand response function, and the possibility of expanding its use not only domestically but also around the world.
HPTCJ will continue to make efforts to further promote the use of heat pumps, including Eco Cute.
*Eco Cute is a registered trademark of Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., and is a nickname for natural refrigerant (CO2) heat pump water heaters recommended by electric power companies and sales manufacturers.
