Chelan County PUD is offering rebates of up to $500 on the purchase of heat pump water heaters. Sounds great, right? But we’re also hearing the question, “What’s a heat pump water heater?”

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?

Have you heard about the new Tango Card? Using a Tango Card good at 17 major retailers is one option for customers receiving appliance rebates from Chelan County PUD.

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.

If spring cleaning includes getting rid of your old refrigerator or brightening up a room, we’ve got some ideas for you. Chelan PUD is offering rebates for energy-efficiency upgrades on several products for your home.

Items and the rebate amounts are:

• 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

All ENERGY STAR refrigerators, freezers and clothes washers are eligible. Rebate amounts for some products vary based on the energy-efficiency of the model selected.

Find complete information on the program here.

The program offers quick turn-around of 7 to 10 business days if you elect to receive a check, or 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.

Find the details here.

P.S. Recycle your old refrigerator or freezer for free and get a $30 rebate from the PUD. Find out how.

Chelan County residents can recycle metal, batteries and some appliances for free on Saturday, March 31. Organizers are warning that this may be the last county-wide event, so gather up your recyclables and head to one of several locations.

A list of locations, hours of operation and acceptable items is available here.

A $20 fee will be charged for appliances that contain or once contained freon. All other metal is free for disposal.

Questions? Wenatchee residents can call (509) 888-3260. County residents should call (509) 667-6415.

Calculate the cost of making your morning coffee on Chelan PUD's Website.

A new feature on Chelan County PUD’s Website  allows customers to calculate the energy cost of everything from coffeemakers to hot tub heaters.

You can choose from a list of pre-defined appliances and wattages, or you can type specific information in. To be completely accurate, you’ll need to know the wattage of each applliance and how many minutes or hours it’s used each day. The calculator tells you how many kilowatt hours are consumed and the total cost.

Heating, cooling and hot water use the most energy in your home, so those are two good places to start when you’re looking to save energy. Lower your heating thermostat at night (or in the summer, set your AC thermostat a little higher). Every degree can take 2 percent off your power bill. Set your water heater at 120 degrees F.

The appliance calculator is available here.

The average cost of running your coffeemaker, by the way, is 14 cents a month. The average cost of operating your hot tub heater is $14 a month.