Posted on 07/22/2023 7:45:53 AM PDT by logi_cal869
Full disclosure:
I took advantage of a rebate with my utility and got a 50 gallon ‘heat pump’ electric water heater at a large discount 2 years ago. I acted because the rebate program was coming to an end and a coworker told me about the great deal and had good things to say about the WH, coupled with the fact that my own WH was 12 years old and original to the house.
It sat in my living room for a year while I planned on how to install it.
The dirty little secret of so-called ‘hybrid’ water heaters is that they are grossly inefficient unless installations are performed to standards (ducted intake & exhaust).
Trust me when I say that’s neither cheap nor easy to accomplish with standard WH installation locations.
In my case, I designed a complicated ducting system in a very, VERY small space (it almost didn’t work out) to draw in attic air for the intake (hot air) and selectable exhaust (cold air, like a/c cold) to pump into the house in the summer, outside during cold months. In this respect, the WH is installed to a standard which should elicit the greatest savings when placed in ‘heat pump’ mode (which it has been for a year).
Aside from the time this DIY project entailed, the materials for the installation exceeded the price of the WH by 100% (double).
Additionally, other than the pleasant cooler bedroom, I’ve realized this ‘benefit’ with over a full year of active use an installation they’re now pushing:
Zero year-over-year electricity use savings.
None.
I wish now that I’d have gone GAS, as the last house I had was gas furnace/WH, and in the summer my gas bill was a mere $8/month for 3 people for hot water WITH a dishwasher and older washing machine with warm water rinse.
Don’t be fooled. Major mea culpa on my part (stupid move).
Fair warning to all.
Yes & no.
See my #21.
Jim ask us not to use dirty words, so I’ll let you read my mind.
Oh Boy!
This is going to be as much fun as low flush toilets!
Based upon the rebate I received for my hybrid WH, I believe that you’re off by a factor of 4 (minimum).
No comment.
How long is a lifetime these days?
I’m getting some all too rare chuckles this morning.
They are springing traps everywhere now.
Collapsing society all around us and then initiating laws that will shutter technology that facilitates life’s basic needs.
They want to commit genocide.
But we should worry about Ukraine...
They actually want us dead.
Far better and more efficient, Tankless, Point-of-Use Water Heaters:
https://www.rheem.com/products/residential/water-heating/tankless/
Then I had to upgrade my septic tank due to county laws enacted.....Permits had to be issued. Inspectors had to inspect. I was fined bigly. I had to go to court. I had to pay a plumber to re-do all the gray water drains into the septic tank. They then needed a half acre to put the elevated drainage mound. They took it from my vegetable garden. I couldn't grow my vegetables there anymore because raw sewage was now plumbed in.
Fast forward to today, and college professors get grants to drain household gray water into water conservation projects, like irrigation.
I really can't take anymore of this insanity!!??!!
I had a plumbing repair business and rather than see the extra costs and waste as one person having my water heater strapped, or those first few years of the terrible toilets before the industry caught up to the theory, and such, I could see the billions being spent and wasted.
I put an on/off switch on my electric water heater and it is 10 gallons, no family or hardly anyone would want to do that but I enjoy playing around with things.
Comrade refusenik!
Cold showers are VERY patriotic.
Get used to them, or go to gulag where is only cold shower.
If you like your cold water, you can have your cold water.
I was figuring on getting a few more years out of my water heater, but maybe I should consider replacing it now. The price is probably already going up, just on the rumor of new government standards.
Uh-oh.
Sorry to hear of your bad experience.
When I bought my current house, natural gas was my main criteria.
A couple years ago the 30 year old water heater failed. Quick run to Home Depot, couple hours of work and the new one was installed.
/sarc (of course!)
I’d love to have cold tap water this time of year. The ground has heated to the depth of the pipes by now, and it’ll be October at least before the water runs cool again. Only time I run the hot water is to wash dishes.
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