Hybrid Electric water heaters

[stevet]

I just thought I would poll the members about these water heaters that have been around for quite a while now. Have any of you made the jump to install one? Where was it installed and how has it performed? Does it keep up with your demand or do you find yourself kicking on the electric elements from time to time?

Of course, the big question is how much have you saved since you installed it? Dollar amounts are fine but I like to track the actual usage as a measure of savings. Then one can calculate the payback time.

Looking forward to hearing about your experiences.

 

[hobarthero]

Great concept with real savings

The only issue I’ve seen with these is the reliability with some of them. The General Electric Geospring units in particular, I have seen a lot of failures with the heat pump in those units. But units built with quality heat pumps are a major advantage in terms of energy savings. The idea is great just make sure to do your homework and get a quality unit with many positive reviews. I install water heaters regularly but I usually install gas units or standard electric as most people don’t splurge for heat pump units even with government incentives because they still need to come up with the money up front.
-Shannon[this post was last edited: 8/4/2021-22:02]

 

[appnut]

I wish I could have one, but my water heater is in a closet in the garage, along with my HVAC air handler and there's not enough open space, room that's required for the unit to properly operate

 

[americana4]

I've had the GE unit for 9 years with no issues yet. I was fortunate to get it when the rebate was $1000 and a tax credit generous too so that with free installation from Sears it cost less than $100. out of pocket.
It's fantastic. It's in an unfinished basement which has always been damp, but the water heater replaces a dehumidifier too, adding to the savings. Summer electric bills are down dramatically, as much as 40% as I recall.
Incoming water is very cold, and the basement never very warm, so recovery is slow.
However, the GE unit provides for 4 modes of operation- allowing me to set it for "high demand" or even resistance only as necessary. And setting a higher water temp than I might otherwise adds to the reserve.
With our high electric rates in the northeast it's a no brainer.

 

[combo52]

Heat-Pump Water Heaters

I bought my partner a 50 gallon Rheem HPWH about 10 years ago for his large all electric home.

 

The cost of the WH was $1,500 from Home Depot, between utility and tax credits the real cost came down to about $500 about the same as a new regular EWH.

 

It has worked perfectly does not run much draws around 6 Amps vs the 25 Amps the old WH drew with never any shortage of hot water even with a 3 shower-head shower with both of us showering together.

 

After around 2 years of use the monthly electric bill is about $22 a month less so the savings already may be nearly $2600 after 10 years use.

 

We have had no problems at all, we installed it our selves, in the warmer months it collects about 5 gallons of water a week that we water plants, in the winter when the house has less than 50% humidity levels not a drop of water appears in the bucket. 

 

I have had several other friends that have had the GE HPWHs are also very pleased with them.

 

John L.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

combo52/john

Thanks for the testimony! That's great! Is yours set to 120ºF?

I would be worried that if the unit is in the house it would potentially cause more demand with HVAC, though a basement unit would be OK. Our old house had the WH installed in a small utility closet and was not a candidate for a HPWH. Plus, reliability also seems to be an issue.

 

[stevet]

How much cooling

can be expected from one of these units? If I were to get one, it would be installed in my garage and would have plenty of ambient heat to transfer to the water tank. The garage during the summer with the door closed can often get close to 100 degrees and in the winter, in the 70-80 degree range. Any amount of cooling would make it more bearable in there.

I am not looking for it to be frigid in the garage, but the reduction in humidity and some cooling would be welcome. And I would guess, the warmer it is, the more my energy savings potential would be.

 

[tomturbomatic]

HI Steve!

I find 6,000 to 8,000 BTUs given.

 

[stevet]

Not too shabby!

I'll take that. Probably the best part is the dehumidification that comes with it.
Thanks, Now to find what rebates are still available.

 

[jerrod_six]

If you install one of these in your basement, does running it cool off the basement?