A heat pump water heater is a new technology designed to reduce home water heating costs. Rather than heating water directly like a traditional electric storage water heater, the heat pump saves energy by moving heat from one place to another.

Heat pump water heaters work like a refrigerator, but in reverse – while a refrigerator removes heat from inside the unit and exhausts to the air around it, a heat pump water heater uses fans and an evaporator coil to pull heat from the surrounding air and transfers it to water in the storage tank.

Heat pump water heaters are sometimes referred to as hybrids because they rely on two systems – a heat pump and an electric element. The heat pump saves energy by doing most of the work most of the time. The electric heating elements are used only when needed.

Heat pump water heaters reduce water-heating energy consumption by 50 percent compared to a standard electric water heater. But they carry some disadvantages, too, and consumers should be aware of these before buying.

The fans and evaporator make noise, so heat pump water heaters are best installed away from the main living space. They require extra air space around them; at least 1,000 cubic feet.  They cool the spaces they are in, so keep that in mind when choosing where or whether to install one. The cool exhaust air can be ducted to the room or outdoors.

Another drawback is their expense, starting at around $1,000. However, manufacturer rebates, store promotions and Chelan PUD’s rebates can combine to make the units very affordable.

Heat pump water heaters are available at Sav-Mart, Lowe’s, Home Depot and Sears (or online through these stores’ websites). A complete list of heat pump water heaters suited to our Northwest climate is available here. You can find a qualified local contractor here.

Learn more about heat pump water heaters and apply for a Chelan PUD rebate.

Do you have a heat pump water heater? If so, how do you like it?

Thirty-eight solar panels are planted next to the vegetable garden of Gro Buer and Bruce Williams, new SNAP producers in Leavenworth.

Solar and wind power program relies on customer support

Here’s an easy way to contribute to the “greening” of our valley: Sign up to support Sustainable Natural Alternative Power (SNAP).

Customers who support SNAP agree to pay a little extra each month on their utility bills. These funds go into a pool that are divided once a year among schools, nonprofit agencies and private producers of solar, wind and small-hydro power in Chelan County.

Eight solar producers joined SNAP in the past year, helping push the program to a production record of 175,142 kilowatt hours of energy. The eight new producers, all with fixed solar systems, added 26 kW of capacity. They are:

• Vic Rasmussen, 1521 Medina Pl., Wenatchee
• Gail Mueller, 2986 Lakeshore Dr., Manson
• Gro Buer and Bruce Williams, 8050 E. Leavenworth Road, Leavenworth
• Greg and Mary Steeber, 12512 Wilson St., Leavenworth
• John Smith, 5108 Old Blewett Pass Road, Peshastin
• Harrison Mekeel, 654 Loop Ave., Manson
• Travis Fox, 6555 Pioneer Ave., Cashmere
• Chuck Fowler, 10420 North Road, Leavenworth

Three applications are pending for SNAP installations in Leavenworth, Manson and Wenatchee.

In addition to SNAP payments, producers are taking advantage of generous state-sponsored incentives. Producers using solar modules and inverters manufactured in Washington are eligible for the highest payouts available through the state’s renewable incentive program. Taking advantage of the state incentives, in addition to SNAP, brings a faster return on investment.

The state payments come from the state’s utility tax fund; SNAP payments come from PUD customers interested in renewable energy. Customers contributed $24,674 this past year for payments of 14 cents per kilowatt hour to SNAP producers.

Meet the producers and get program details for 2013 in the SNAP Annual Report.

The PUD is offering rebates for energy-efficiency upgrades on several products for your home:

• LED downlight retrofit kits, $25
• Electric storage water heaters, $25-$125
• Clothes washers, $30-$75
• Refrigerators and freezers, $50
• Line voltage zoned thermostats, $115
• Heat pump water heaters, $300-$500

If you choose the new Tango Card, you can redeem it immediately for your choice of gift cards at 17 premier retailers such as Amazon, Starbucks and Home Depot. Or you can donate your rebate to your choice of eight charities such as Habitat for Humanity. You can also elect to get a good old-fashioned check, with a quick turn-around of 7 to 10 business days.

All ENERGY STAR refrigerators, freezers and clothes washers are eligible for rebates. Amounts vary because they’re based on the energy-efficiency of the model selected.

Find complete information on the program here.

When the program began in 2012 only baseboard, wall and radiant heat systems were included. Adding forced-air furnaces to the mix will allow many more customers to qualify, said Mark Wiser, senior energy conservation adviser.

Rebates of $750 are available to help offset the cost of the units, which ranges from $2,000 to $6,000. Owners of manufactured homes are eligible if they have electric forced-air systems but are not eligible if they have baseboard or other zonal heat. 

Fourteen local contractors are participating in the program. Contact a contractor to get started adding a ductless heat pump to your home.

Why? A ductless heat pump is a highly efficient and easily installed primary heating and cooling system for electrically heated homes. Ductless systems are ideal for replacing or supplementing less efficient heating sources (and window air conditioners in the summer).

Regionally, use of a ductless heating and cooling system in a single-family home with zonal electric heat is estimated to save 3,500 kWh annually. Using Chelan PUD’s average cost of $0.03 per kilowattt hour, upgrading to a ductless heating and cooling system as a primary heat source can save approximately $105 per year. In addition, ductless heat pumps are safer, quieter, and heat rooms efficiently.  And they provide air conditioning in the summer, replacing window units.

Find more information about upgrading to ductless on the PUD website and at goingductless.com.

Annual sale features plants from the xeriscape garden in Riverfront Park

Pick up some new penstemons (like the one at right), echinaceas and agastaches for landscape color. Or try a new variety of heirloom tomato or sweet pepper. Hosted by the Master Gardener Association of Chelan County, the sale offers an assortment of vegetables, herbs and perennials well suited for our climate.

A special addition this year are plants from the xeriscape garden in Riverfront Park. This waterwise garden, maintained by the Master Gardeners through a partnership with Chelan County PUD, showcases drought-tolerant plants, emphasizing their beauty and color.

The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gesa Credit  Union, 1005 N. Wenatchee Ave. The sale is the largest fundraising event of the year for local Master Gardeners; proceeds support the Community Education Garden, diagnosis clinics and other public events.