FAQs

Hot Water, Milk Cooling & CO₂ Technology for New Zealand Dairy Farms

Find answers to the most common questions about our systems – from how they work to what they’ll cost your farm.

Hot Water Systems

Farmers are increasingly choosing CO₂ hot water systems because they deliver consistent 85°C water, fast recovery, and lower power use. Eco2Energy’s CO₂ system is designed specifically for NZ dairy sheds and provides reliable hot water for plant washes, vat washes, and calf milk heating.

Yes. Our CO₂ technology converts 1 kW of electricity into up to 3.9 kW of heat output, making it significantly more efficient than traditional electric elements. Many New Zealand dairy farmers see a noticeable reduction in overall energy use.

Dairy hygiene guidelines in New Zealand require hot water to reach 80°C+ for effective cleaning. Eco2Energy systems consistently deliver 85°C water, helping protect milk quality and compliance.

CO₂ Glycol Chillers

Yes. Eco2Energy’s CO₂ glycol chiller is designed to deliver 85°C hot water while cooling milk. For farmers, that means the system is not only cooling milk efficiently but also producing free high-temperature hot water that can be used in the shed. We know hot water performance matters, so our focus is on making sure you get what we promise.

Depending on the model and farm setup, Eco2Energy’s CO₂ glycol chillers can produce around 450–750 litres of free hot water per hour at 85°C during milk cooling. This helps farmers make better use of the energy already being used in the shed, while reducing pressure on separate hot water heating systems.

Reliable high-temperature hot water is essential for plant and vat wash, hygiene, and day-to-day shed performance. By producing 85°C hot water while cooling milk, Eco2Energy helps farmers meet two critical dairy shed needs at the same time: cold milk and hot water.

A glycol system chills milk quickly to 3–4°C and holds it there. Glycol maintains a stable temperature, preventing milk from warming up in the plate cooler or vat. Eco2Energy’s CO₂ glycol system also produces free 85°C hot water during cooling.

Yes. Glycol stays colder for longer and doesn’t warm up as quickly as water. This means more consistent cooling, especially for larger herds or high‑throughput sheds.

Absolutely. Glycol helps pull milk down to 4°C quickly and prevents temperature creep, ensuring you stay within New Zealand dairy company requirements, even on hot days or with large volumes.

Medium–large farms (typically 700+ cows) see the biggest gains, especially where older refrigeration systems struggle to keep up with modern herd sizes.

CO₂ Technology & Refrigerant Phase Down

CO₂ is efficient, reliable, and future‑proof. Traditional refrigerants like R404A, R410A, and R407C are being phased down globally due to their high global warming potential (GWP). These gases are becoming more expensive and harder to source. CO₂ has a GWP of 1 and is not part of any phase‑out programme.

Yes. CO₂ is a natural refrigerant that won’t be phased out, meaning your system remains serviceable and economical for its full lifespan. This protects New Zealand dairy farmers from rising refrigerant costs and supply shortages.

CO₂ is widely used overseas in commercial hot water, supermarkets, food processing, and industrial cooling. Eco2Energy is the first company to introduce CO₂ water heating technology to New Zealand’s dairy sector.

Installation & Maintenance

Most installations take 1–2 days, depending on the farm layout. Farmers often comment on how seamless the process is.

CO₂ systems typically require less maintenance than traditional refrigerant systems. There are no electric elements to burn out and no high‑GWP gases to replace.

In most cases, no. Many dairy farmers choose Eco2Energy specifically to avoid expensive transformer upgrades.

Costs, Savings & Practical Benefits

Every farm is different – herd size, wash routines, cooling demand, and shed layout all affect the setup. Most farmers are surprised by how affordable CO₂ systems are once they understand the potential return on investment, especially with the energy savings and free hot water during cooling.

We’ll give you a clear, no‑obligation cost estimate based on your farm’s requirements. Most farms see meaningful power savings from day one. Get in touch with us for a personalised estimate.

Savings vary by farm, but most dairy farmers see immediate reductions in energy use and long‑term savings from avoiding high‑GWP refrigerant costs. Practical benefits, like reliable hot water and stable cooling, are noticed straight away.

Yes. Consistent hot water and stable cooling are essential for hygiene and compliance. CO₂ systems help ensure plant and vat washes reach the right temperature and milk hits 3–4°C quickly.

Got questions about hot water, cooling, or CO₂ systems? Our team can walk you through what will work best for your farm and give you a clear, no‑obligation cost estimate.

We’re here to help you cut power use, protect milk quality, and take the stress out of hot water and cooling.

Still have Questions?

Chat with our team & get a free cost estimate