DEHUMIDIFIER and water cooler maker Ebac is developing a new product that company founder John Elliott reckons could double the size of the company.

The business, which moved into bigger premises in Newton Aycliffe last year from its original base in Bishop Auckland, is preparing to test heat pumps later in the year and plans to launch them in early 2012.

Ebac has revived the idea, which it had previously explored, because of high energy prices and demand for alternatives from domestic customers. Elliott, who is also company chairman, said: “We did heat pumps 20-odd years ago but people weren’t interested.

“It’s ideal when there’s no mainline gas in the area. For every 1KW of energy you put in, you get 2.5KW out.

“A fridge does exactly the same; it cools stuff in the icebox and heats the air outside.”

Ebac plans to test the units in “at least half a dozen” homes in the early part of the winter so the product’s performance can be assessed.

Elliott is confident the product will be a major seller for Ebac.

“I think it could easily double our size,” he said. “I think we would almost have to move to bigger premises in two or three years’ time. There are some UK manufacturers of heat pumps but there are quite a lot imported.”