The tech costs more than conventional options upfront, but federal tax credits, new 120V models and strong savings have made them more appealing than ever.
And how is it a bad thing that it is making good use of the heat around the furnace to heat up water? You do realize that the electricity in the heat pump also is making some heat on its own.
All that energy can be harvested for a hot shower or bath instead of having a heat pump outside in the colder temps running at a lower efficiency. On top of that, the furnace will not always be running throughout the year, and the warmer months will be more beneficial to have the heat pump than a gas water heater.
I am assuming that the heat pump water tank and gas furnace are in the basement, or garage. not inside the well insulated house…
On top of that, the hot air is directed out of the gas furnace to the house, while the air surrounding the gas furnace is lost heat that can be scavenged by the heat pump. They are independent and work for separate reasons.
I am assuming that the heat pump water tank and gas furnace are in the basement, or garage. not inside the well insulated house…
Ah. That’s the issue. Your assumption is faulty.
Water heaters have water lines leading to them. Anywhere the temperature regularly falls below freezing, the water heater must be located inside the heated structure, not exposed to the elements. Otherwise, the plumbing could freeze. The basement may be colder than the rest of the house, but it is still part of the heated structure.
If your basement, garage, or whatever room contains your water heater is not within the heated structure, you are living well south of Ohio.
And how is it a bad thing that it is making good use of the heat around the furnace to heat up water? You do realize that the electricity in the heat pump also is making some heat on its own.
All that energy can be harvested for a hot shower or bath instead of having a heat pump outside in the colder temps running at a lower efficiency. On top of that, the furnace will not always be running throughout the year, and the warmer months will be more beneficial to have the heat pump than a gas water heater.
I am assuming that the heat pump water tank and gas furnace are in the basement, or garage. not inside the well insulated house…
On top of that, the hot air is directed out of the gas furnace to the house, while the air surrounding the gas furnace is lost heat that can be scavenged by the heat pump. They are independent and work for separate reasons.
Ah. That’s the issue. Your assumption is faulty.
Water heaters have water lines leading to them. Anywhere the temperature regularly falls below freezing, the water heater must be located inside the heated structure, not exposed to the elements. Otherwise, the plumbing could freeze. The basement may be colder than the rest of the house, but it is still part of the heated structure.
If your basement, garage, or whatever room contains your water heater is not within the heated structure, you are living well south of Ohio.