The Magazine | Australian National Construction Review | Q-ton by MHIAA: Future-Proofing Commercial Hot Water Solutions
As energy costs soar and sustainability goals become central to building design, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) is leading the charge with its cutting-edge commercial hot water solution—Q-ton. Using CO2 as a natural refrigerant, Q-ton is a revolutionary air-to-water heat pump system that offers high energy efficiency, outstanding environmental performance,
and long-term cost savings.
Designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable hot water solutions, Q-ton offers a market-leading coefficient of performance (COP) of 4.3, translating into lower energy consumption, reduced operating costs, and shorter payback periods.
When compared to traditional systems, Q-ton delivers:
- 76% fewer CO2 emissions than gas boilers
- 74% fewer emissions than electric immersion heaters
- Up to 100,000 litres of hot water daily across 16-unit configurations
- Reliable operation in ambient temperatures as low as -25°C
With a capacity range from 3,000L to 100,000L per day, Q-ton is suitable for a wide spectrum of commercial applications—from boutique operations to large-scale facilities requiring high volumes of hot water.
Its patented two-stage rotary scroll compressor technology enables it to produce sanitary-grade water at temperatures between 60°C and 90°C, making it ideal for processes like cleaning, sterilisation, and bottling. This high-temperature capability is also essential for domestic hot water supply in healthcare, aged care homes, hotels, and gyms, where hygiene and consistency are paramount.
Q-ton’s operation is underpinned by a highly efficient air-to-water heat transfer system. It extracts ambient heat—even in sub-zero conditions—and transfers it to a natural CO2 refrigerant through a two-stage compression process. The refrigerant, which has negligible environmental impact, boasts zero ozone depletion potential and a low global warming potential, making it a far superior choice to synthetic refrigerants.
This compressed, high-temperature CO2 refrigerant is then used to instantly heat water—delivering a reliable 90°C output even when ambient temperatures drop to -25°C, and maintaining 100% capacity at temperatures down to -7°C. The flexible system also allows for precise temperature adjustment, ensuring optimal performance for varied use cases.
Q-ton is modular, allowing it to be used as a standalone unit or scaled up to a 16-unit system. This flexibility supports everything from small boutique operations to large commercial or institutional builds—ensuring hot water demands are met with minimal environmental impact.
Thanks to its adaptability, Q-ton has become the go-to solution for a wide array of commercial applications, including:
- Aged Care & Hospitals – Hygienic, reliable water for sanitation and patient care
- Hotels & Resorts – High-volume hot water for guest facilities
- Multi-residential Apartments – Economical and consistent domestic hot water
- Breweries, Distilleries & Wineries – Process heating with reduced emissions
- Gyms & Recreational Centres – Reliable supply for showers, pools, and spas
- Food & Beverage Processing – Steady, sanitised water for production lines
With sustainability increasingly tied to property value and government regulation, Q-ton helps projects meet higher NABERS ratings, contributing directly to reduced carbon footprints and improved environmental performance.
For developers and facility managers focused on ESG objectives, Q-ton offers a future-proof solution that aligns with net-zero targets.
As industries across Australia shift toward clean energy and cost efficiency, Q-ton by MHIAA stands out as the gold standard in commercial hot water systems.
Offering high performance, lower emissions, and broad application flexibility, Q-ton enables businesses to meet modern energy demands while contributing to a more sustainable future.
In addition to performance, Q-ton is WaterMark certified, meeting stringent Australian Building Codes. This certification ensures compliance with Australia’s safety and performance standards.
For more information contact Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioning Australia, Pty Ltd., phone 0406 765 774, mhiaa.com.au