Energy Efficient Water Heaters

(HIT) - Hot water for taking a shower, doing the dishes, and washing hands. It's something just about everyone takes for granted. But thanks to American ingenuity, you now have a reason to take notice of your water heater, according to the Edison Electric Institute, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, two national associations of electric utilities.

A totally new method for heating water comes from Applied Energy Recovery Systems. Their heat pump water heater, the E-Tech, uses electricity in a completely different way to heat water. Instead of creating heat, like every other water heater must do today, the E-Tech transfers existing heat from the air. It can move heat from the basement, the attic, or even outdoors, and transfer it to your water heater storage tank.

The E-Tech water heater heat pump takes less energy to transfer heat than it does to create it. As a result, the heat pump water heater can help lower your energy costs. Your savings can add up, since water heating accounts for about 15 percent of your monthly energy bill. Besides lower energy costs, the E-Tech supplies free air conditioning as a by-product of transferring heat. You'll get the equivalent air conditioning of a window-size air conditioner. This can help keep your basement air drier.

"The E-Tech heat pump water heater represents a major advancement on all fronts," said Tom Farkas, residential program manager for the Edison Electric Institute. "The unit is small and lightweight (it can fit on top of the water heater tank). This means you can order the energy efficient water heater through the mail, and if you're handy, you can install it yourself."

Operating costs are comparable to, and in some cases substantially lower than, gas water heating units. And remember the free air conditioning and dehumidification you get too.

The E-Tech energy efficient water heater heat pump offers a very attractive payback period compared with resistance water heaters. The payback period is the length of time it takes for the energy savings to pay you back the higher purchase price. The E-Tech's payback period is typically 2- to 6-years, based on how much hot water your home uses. The more you use it, the shorter the payback.

For more pricing and information about the E-Tech energy efficient heat pump for water heaters, visit Applied Energy Recover Systems online at www.aers.com. If you want more information about using electricity efficiently in your home, call your electric utility's residential marketing department.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center