n Heat Pump Water Heaters

electric tank,” adds Holladay.

HPWHs can also provide homeowners with monthly savings as, “Compared to a conventional style water heater, where you’re paying for the fuel or electricity, the hybrid electric provides cost savings because it’s using air that’s already there around the water,” states Kirchner. She adds that homeowners can save hundreds of dollars annually using an HPWH compared to a standard electric water heater depending on a home’s usage.

Holladay also adds that when using an HPWH, “You get about $3 in hot water for every $1 spent because moving heat costs less than creating heat and HPWHs do both.” He also adds that a 240v HPWH has roughly the same rating in hot water provided and recovery as standard electric water heaters, with 65 to 67-gallon first-hour delivery (50 gallons), 77-gallon first-hour delivery (65 gallons), and 87-gallon first-hour delivery (80 gallons).

The benefit of using a tankless heat pump water heater, according to Deivasigamani, is that overall, it provides clean and healthy water. “Additionally, our tankless heat pump uses CO2 refrigeration, making the technology environmentally friendly. CO2 has a GWP of one, which gives it a superior heat transfer characteristic compared to synthetic refrigerants. Plus, it provides higher heat carrying capacity.”

Deivasigamani also mentions that Intellihot’s tankless heat pump water heaters “are three times more efficient than resistance tanks. Compared to paying around $100 per month, ours will be around $33.”

Installation

As with most installations, the best practice for installing a hybrid electric heat pump water heater or any water heater, “should always be installed with local codes in mind,” said Fernandes. Additionally, when working with water, thermal expansion is something that should always be considered. “We’ve focused on making the installation straightforward so that a standard regular plumber can easily put this product in. If you’re just swapping out electric for electric, it’s a simple switch out, and it’s mostly just properly sizing the tank. The contractor doesn’t have to touch any refrigerant or compressor, as that’s covered by warranty.”

To best utilize HPWH technology, “Install them in places that provide or have excess heat, for example, your basement furnace room, garage, or laundry room,” says Holladay.

Additionally, for installation jobs, the main difference when installing an HPWH compared to a standard electric is that “You have to adjust and account for the air space needed for the unit. An HPWH needs about 700 cubic feet or louvered door,” states Kirchner.

Holladay, Kirchner, and Fernandes all mentioned that installation costs for an HPWH system are typically on the higher end when you are fuel switching and running a 240v line, but “For this product, through the Greener Homes Federal Grant, there are incentives of $1,000,” adds Fernandes.

Regardless of which system a homeowner decides to use, the main thing any person should worry about is, “whether or not your HVAC or water heating system in a home or business is efficient and healthy. We spend most of our time indoors, breathing in air and drinking water. So, ask yourself whether you are making any compromises,” suggests Deivasigamani. :

Cold climate heat pump

SpacePak, Westfield, Massachusetts, announced the latest addition to its inverter series line of Solstice air-to-water heat pumps — the Solstice Inverter Extreme. The Solstice Inverter Extreme (ILAHP) is an inverter-driven cold climate air-to-water heat pump that provides hydronic heating, cooling, and DHW, without the use of fossil fuels. It features an inverter-driven compressor, inverter-driven fans and fan motors, and enhanced vapour injection technology. The heat pump can heat in outdoor temperatures as low as -30 C, while delivering water temperatures as high as 54 C. The unit comes equipped with a flexible control platform and outputs in all climates and conditions.

SpacePak u www.spacepak.com

Tank protection technology

Bradford White, Halton Hills, Ont, announces its Vitraglas tank lining with Microban antimicrobial technology will now be a standard feature on nearly all tanktype water heaters. Vitraglas is an enamel tank lining that provides protection from corrosion, while the Microban technology provides additional product protection by helping to prevent the growth of bacteria, mould, and mildew on the surface of the tank lining. Vitraglas tank lining with Microban is formulated and applied to the water heater tank, head, base, and flue tube, and is then bonded to the steel surface by firing at a temperature of over 1,600 F.

Bradford White u www.bradfordwhite.com

New and improved

Navien, Vaughan, Ont, introduces its NPE-2 series condensing tankless water heaters, which features an EZNav upgraded multiline control panel with Setup Wizard, up to 0.96 UEF, two-inch PVC venting up to 75-ft, cascade capability up to 32 units, and common vent capability up to 12 units. Like the original NPE, NPE-2 offers dual stainless-steel heat exchangers and a patented ComfortFlow recirculation system with a built-in pump and buffer tank on the NPE-A2.

Navien u www.navieninc.ca

Self-learning tankless water heater

Noritz America, Fountain Valley, California, introduces its new NRCR residential condensing tankless water heater series. It uses a fully integrated pump to keep hot water close to all outlets in the home. The auto mode learns the household’s water usage and automatically triggers recirculation-loop activation in line with the expected usage. Available with inputs of 165,000 btu/h and 199,900 btu/h, the new HRCR series carries a uniform energy factor (UEF) of 0.97, while offering the durability of dual, stainless-steel heat exchangers. Noritz America u www.noritz.com

Electric tankless units

Bosch Thermotechnology, Watertown, Massachusetts, introduces two additions to its electric tankless water heater lineup. Bosch’s new Tronic 4000 C (pictured) is ideal for pointof-use, under-sink installations, while the Tronic 6100 C is ideal for whole-house applications. The Tronic 4000 C measures only 8.5-inches by 13-inches and weighs 4.4 pounds. It can be wall-mounted directly under the sink and requires no venting. The Tronic 4000 C comes in four model options: 3.5 kW, 6.5 kW, 8.5 kW and 10.5 kW. The Tronic 6100 C features a stainless-steel canister inside the unit, which heats up the water but doesn’t store water like a traditional tank water heater. It measures 13 1/4-inches by 20 1/4 -inches and comes with 3/4inch NPT fittings for both cold and hot water connections.

Bosch u www.boschheatingandcooling.com

Advanced recirculation technology

Rinnai, Peachtree City, Georgia, launches its improved Sensei RSC condensing tankless water heater with intelligent recirculation, eventually replacing RUR models. Its RSC will deliver the same quality come to know with the RUR model, but features advanced Smart-Circ intelligent recirculation technology. With Smart-Circ, external controllers are no longer required to provide recirculation for customers and will learn user’s hot water patterns over seven days. It will then schedule pump and tankless recirculation patterns accordingly. Hot water usage must be greater than 20 seconds to be added to the system’s memory.

Rinnai u www.rinnai.ca