News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Phoebus Energy held a public showing of its new hybrid water heating system at the Gilo community center in Jerusalem on Tuesday. The hybrid heat pump system integrates with existing oil-based systems to increase efficiency, saving between 50 and 70 percent of oil and reducing pollution by 80 to 90 percent. "The Phoebus system is based on a complex algorithm that we developed which governs when to use the oil-based system and when to use the heat pump. It constantly monitors many parameters to decide which way is most efficient to generate heat," CEO Yaron Tal said.

"The system measures such parameters as the temperature outside, the temperature of the water, and the price of the oil. Several of the parameters change a number of times throughout the day," he added. Phoebus Energy has installed its system in eight locations in Israel, including kibbutzim, other community centers, and hotels. The system is economically advantageous for large users of hot water, but not financially worthwhile for private households.