As Australia’s built environment accelerates toward net-zero emissions, stronger NABERS ratings, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels, developers and asset owners are turning to innovative technologies that deliver both sustainability and performance.
The Q-ton air-to-water heat pump from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is leading that charge — a next-generation solution that dramatically reduces carbon emissions, slashes energy use, and lowers long-term operating costs.
Slashing emissions with natural refrigerant technology
Q-ton uses CO₂ as a natural refrigerant, offering a climate-forward alternative to gas boilers or electric heater systems that depend on synthetic refrigerants or carbon-intensive energy.
It can reduce carbon emissions by up to 76 per cent compared to conventional systems.
Figure 1: CO₂ emissions are estimates only, based on the usage of a large-scale hotel in Melbourne, Victoria over a 15-year period based on current grid conditions and energy use. Actual results may vary with site-specific factors, usage patterns, and future grid decarbonisation.
Energy use that works for business and the planet
Engineered in Japan with over 140 years of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ innovation, Q-ton is designed to deliver consistent 60–90 degrees Celsius hot water, even in ambient temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius.
This high-efficiency performance ensures dependable operation year-round, regardless of climate.
With a coefficient of performance (COP) of up to 4.3*, as highlighted in the graph below, Q-ton has the ability to consume up to 85 per cent less energy than gas boilers and 75 per cent less than electric immersion heaters in some applications — delivering substantial cost savings while reducing environmental impact.
Figure 2: Energy Consumption Graph based on estimated usage for the same large-scale hotel in Melbourne, Victoria. Assumes electricity tariffs of 7.0119c/kWh (off-peak) and 10.455c/kWh (peak), and gas at 17.37c/kWh. Actual energy costs may vary depending on site conditions and usage patterns.
Proven in the field, backed by experience
“With an industry-leading coefficient of performance of 4.3, Q-ton reliably delivers hot water using only a fraction of the energy,” says Jason Parsons, Sales Executive at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
“Thanks to these high energy efficiencies, we’ve seen businesses cut their running costs by up to 30 per cent, with payback periods as short as 18 months.”
Smarter management, scalable performance
Q-ton integrates with building management systems (BMS), giving operators real-time visibility and control over energy and water usage.
This smart integration enables optimisation of performance, consumption tracking, and proactive management — all critical for meeting sustainability benchmarks.
Its modular design allows it to serve a wide range of building sizes and industries, from aged care and hospitals to breweries, gyms, universities, and apartment blocks, with the capacity to deliver between 3,000 and 100,000 litres of hot water per day.
Built to comply, built to last
Q-ton is a WaterMark-certified product, meeting Australia’s rigorous plumbing and safety standards. With more than 70 installations across Australia, it’s proven in both performance and durability.
The future of hot water is here
For businesses aiming to lower costs, reduce emissions, and meet net-zero and NABERS goals, Q-ton represents a reliable, future-ready solution. It’s more than a heat pump — it’s a smarter, greener approach to commercial hot water.
Click HERE to learn more about Q-ton.
*Intermediate season. Air on at 16OC, Water on at 17OC, Water off at 65OC. Operation conditions: senior care home, 80 persons, 8000L/day, 60°C conversion.
