Hitachi expands daytime tariff controls in CO₂ heat-pump water heater range

Japan – Hitachi has announced a new range of residential CO₂ heat-pump water heaters for Japan with expanded controls allowing hot-water production to be shifted towards daytime periods under a wider range of electricity tariffs.

The Y series EcoCute range will go on sale progressively from November 2026, with 370-litre and 460-litre storage models.

Broader tariff support

The main development is an expansion of the electricity tariff plans that can be selected directly through the system controller.

Hitachi says some Japanese electricity companies have introduced tariffs encouraging customers to move electricity use into daytime periods as renewable generation increases, in some cases alongside domestic solar PV.

The Y series allows users to select supported tariffs by choosing the relevant contract number on the controller. Tariffs from other electricity companies can be configured manually.

Hitachi currently lists compatible plans from Hokkaido Electric, Chubu Electric Power Miraiz, Shikoku Electric, Chugoku Electric and Kyushu Electric.

Solar operation already established

The tariff expansion builds on existing Hitachi EcoCute functions that can move water heating into daytime periods to make use of electricity generated by domestic solar PV.

Hitachi already offers manual solar-utilisation settings, while selected models can use weather forecasts to reduce overnight heating and schedule more water heating for the following day when sunshine is expected.

The products are being introduced by Hitachi Global Life Solutions, the Hitachi-owned Japanese business covering home appliances, air-conditioning equipment and associated services.