Lol, how long to recoup the initial cost and installation?
“Lol, how long to recoup the initial cost and installation?”
My estimate is 20 to 50 years, depending on usage rate.
longer than they have scheduled us to last, no doubt.
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.
How long is a lifetime these days?
The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday proposed energy efficiency standards on water heaters it said would save consumers $11.4 billion on energy and water bills annually.
Remember peasants, "Thank government it's Friday!"
WATER heaters for MANUFACTURED homes already cost 4 times a regular one in a stick built house.
Something about the venting.
THOSE spaces are pre-determined-—you cannot ‘JUST ADD A BIGGER SPACE”.