Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate
Heat Pump Water Heaters Can Save You Energy and Money
The Heat Pump Water Heater rebate is made possible by Energize Connecticut and administered by CL&P. A rebate offer of $400 is available for replacing your old electric water heater with a heat pump water heater.
What is a heat pump water heater?
A heat pump water heater combines a high efficiency air source heat pump with an electric resistance water heater. They utilize heat pump technology to offset water heating costs by transferring heat from the surrounding ambient air to the domestic hot water. Electric resistance is used only as needed, reducing water heating costs.
How does a heat pump water heater work?
There are two components to a heat pump water heater: the heat pump and the hot water storage tank with electric resistance elements. The heat pump uses electrical energy to move heat against its natural gradient from a cool room to hot water. The storage tank uses the standard electric resistance elements to supply any remaining energy needed to bring the water up to the desired temperature.
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As the heat pump removes heat from the surrounding ambient air, it provides a slight cooling effect. Therefore, the byproduct of a hybrid water heater is dehumidification and cooling. For this reason, these units work well in basements. The units require 1,000 cubic feet of space around the heat pump. It is extremely important that the unit is not installed in a closet or other confined space, as it will not operate effectively, manufacturer warranties will be voided, and it may cause undesired cold spots in the home.
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on where the heat pump water heater is installed. If the unit is an unconditioned space, then it will have no impact on your heating system because it is drawing heat from an unheated area. If the unit is located in a conditioned space, then it will slightly increase the load on the heating system in the winter. Conversely, it will reduce the cooling load on the cooling system in the summer, offsetting the heating burden.
When the heat pump is operating, the unit will make a fan sound about 60 dBa in volume. This is about the same level as the vent fan on a microwave or above a stove makes. The unit cycles on and off, so the noise is not constant.
Depending on the location of the water heater and your usage patterns, you may save up to 50% on water heating costs compared to running a standard electric resistance water heater.
Yes, with one exception. Heat pump water heaters can produce several pints of condensate (water) per hour. This condensate must be drained at the site of the water heater or pumped away to a nearby drain. Standard electric resistance water heaters do not require this.
Heat pump water heaters have air filters that need to be cleaned or replaced regularly. Plugged air filters will reduce the efficiency of the unit, causing the system to utilize more energy. An annual checkup and flushing of your system is also recommended.
While these units are new to the market, all of the ENERGY STAR® -qualified units eligible for the Energy Efficiency Fund incentive are manufacturer warranted for a minimum of six years.
Yes, you may be eligible for the 2011 heat pump water heater $300 tax credit. Please use the following link to find more information: www.energystar.gov.
Resource Links:
An assessment of your home's energy efficiency is highly encouraged.
To set-up your Home Energy Solutions assessment:
Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate application:
The rebate form below can be completed online, but must be printed and mailed as described in the form. Please note that a copy of your invoice with make and model numbers and a recent CL&P bill MUST accompany your application.
Verify that your new system qualifies:
Equipment must be ENERGY STAR® certified with an Energy Factor of 2.0 or greater and be installed on or after January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. This rebate is only available for customers replacing electric hot water heaters, including first generation heat pump water heaters, or for customers building all-electric new homes. The rebate application and support documentation must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2014. Rebate cannot exceed 50% of the total equipment cost.
Locate your qualifying make and model:
Qualify for financing:
For more information, call 1-877-WISE-USE (1-877-947-3873).