EUGENE WATER  &  ELECTRIC  BOARD

It's an electric water heater that uses heat pump technology to heat the water inside a tank.

Imagine a refrigerator working in reverse. While a refrigerator removes heat from an enclosed box and expels that heat to the surrounding air, a heat pump water heater takes the heat from surrounding air and transfers it to water in an enclosed tank.

A heat pump water heater is right for you if:

• Your new heat pump water heater would be located in a garage
• Your garage will isolate sound and cool air generated by the unit
• You currently have a standard electric water heater
• You're not downsizing from a larger size water heater
• You want to be able to control your water heater (some units feature a "vacation mode")

Heat pump water heaters can be installed in a garage that:

• Maintains an average temperature above 40 degrees
• Measures at least 10-feet by 10-feet by 10-feet to provide the unit with adequate air flow
• Will not be affected by the cold, dry air that the unit puts out
• Will not be affected by exposure to noise that the fan(s) and compressor generate when they are in operation

In most cases, homeowners can save 25% to 50% per year on their electric water heating costs. These savings continue for the life of the unit.

This specification provides guidance to manufacturers who are interested in developing products that not only meet ENERGY STAR® criteria but are able to provide high levels of consumer satisfaction and energy performance in cooler, northern climates. Read more and see a list of qualified products for our region