Heat-Pump Retrofit for Existing Water Heaters

New Heat-Pump Retrofit Gives Homeowners Option to Save Energy With Existing Water Heaters

The AirTap A7 water heater has a rated output of 7,000 Btu/hour, a first-hour rating of 42.5 gallons, a maximum water temperature of 135 degrees, an efficiency of 240% and an energy factor of 2.11. Installation for the unit, which sits on top of a standard water heater (see picture at right), is fairly easy, writes BuildingGreen.com’s Alex Wilson.

Once connected to your existing water heater, the AirTap™ unit acts as a conventional heat pump, using a compressor (powered by a low-wattage electric current) to extract heat from the surrounding air, and then sending this heat through long copper tubes into an adaptor where it is dispersed in your water tank. This, in turn, heats the water to the same degree as would a gas burner or electric heating component, distributing the hot water throughout your home safely and efficiently.

If it takes four units of energy to heat water, AirTap™ utilizes one unit from an electric outlet, and three units from the surrounding air, reducing your energy consumption by about 2.5 times that of your current water heater.

General Electric expects to introduce its own heat-pump water heater, the Hybrid Electric Water Heater, in late 2009. The model will sell for about $400 more than a standard, 50-gallon electric water heater but save an average family $250 per year with electricity at $0.10/kWh, the company claims.

DOE Rebate Incentives

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