Lower Energy Bill with a Heat Pump Water Heater
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Feb 26, 2010
Fight Rising Energy Cost with a Heat Pump Water Heater
If you are one of the customers of Ohio Edison or First Energy, then you have seen the increases in your electric bill with the changes in discounts. Although this is being reviewed by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and there is a class action lawsuit currently filed, rates will not fall back to current levels.
Cut your water heating costs in half! Heat pump water heaters (HPWH) can reduce water heating cost by 300.00 a year and not sacrifice hot water usage. These systems are not new to the market and major players like GE and Rheem have introduced models that incorporate this technology. If you have a newer existing tank then add-on systems are available. Heat pump water heaters are more than twice as efficient as standard electric models and protect the environment.
To understand the concept of heat pumps, imagine a refrigerator working in reverse. While a refrigerator removes heat from an enclosed box and expels that heat to the surrounding air, a HPWH takes the heat from surrounding air and transfers it to water in an enclosed tank. A low-pressure liquid refrigerant is vaporized in the heat pump's evaporator and passed into the compressor. As the pressure of the refrigerant increases, so does its temperature. The heated refrigerant runs through a condenser coil within the storage tank, transferring heat to the water stored there. As the refrigerant delivers its heat to the water, it cools and condenses, and then passes through an expansion valve where the pressure is reduced and the cycle starts over.
Replace your aging electric water heater before it fails. Consider this exciting technology before your next purchase. Every ENERGY STAR qualified heat pump water heater installed in 2010 will be eligible for a tax credit of 30%, up to $1500. Get the facts and find out if you are eligible for a tax credit!