COPYRIGHT 2016 JAMES DULLEY ( www.dulley.com/sea/ ) - March 2016 - (graphics ref. No. 176 at www.dulley.com/sea/column/2016-mar.htm )

"Benefits and selection of heat pump water heaters"

Dear Jim: My electric water heater is leaking. I thought about installing a more efficient heat pump water heater. Is one a better choice for my home than another standard model and what types are available? - Ann S.

Dear Ann: A heat pump water heater (HPWH) is usually the best choice for most homes. I seldom recommend an electric tankless model because of the limited maximum hot water output and huge electric current draw.

A HPWH produces up to $3 of heat for each $1 on your utility bill. Since most models cannot provide 100 percent of your hot water needs, the regular heating elements still come on at times. Overall savings are often about 50 percent which should pay back the HPWH's higher cost in about four years.

It is important to understand how a HPWH works. Instead of heating water directly, electricity runs a compressor. This draws heat from room air around the HPWH and transfers it to the water. This cools and dehumidifies the room air.

During summer, this reduces the cooling load on your central air conditioner for a double savings. Air ducting kits can be added to exhaust the cool, dry air to another room. Ducting is limited to 10 feet length.

During winter, the savings are less because the HPWH is making your heating system run harder, but there still are savings. There often is enough waste heat in the air around the central heating unit which the HPWH can use. This is most effective if you have an oil or propane furnace/boiler.

The two most common types of HPWH's are an add-on model and a hybrid model. There are advantages to each. Since yours is leaking, a hybrid model is a good choice. It's basically a HPWH compressor unit attached to the top of a standard tank-type water heater. Make sure there is adequate space for it.

It is called hybrid because it can run three modes. The most efficient is heat pump only mode. If you hot water needs are high, both the heat pump and standard electrical resistance for more hot water. It can also switch to resistance-only mode if the heat pump malfunctions.

An add-on HPWH, Geyser made by Nyle, www.nyle.com, works with any standard electric, gas or propane water heater. It is slightly less efficient than a hybrid HPWH, but costs much less. This often is added to an existing water heater and can be reattached to a new water heater when it is replaced.

It is about window air conditioner size. Flexible water hoses attach to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater making it easy to install and remove. It should be located about four to six feet from the water heater. An air ducting kit (costs $15) can duct the air a maximum of 10 feet away.

When making your decision, consider the HPWH location. The compressor does make some noise similar to a window air conditioner. The recommended room size for a HPWH is at least 1,000 cubic feet or the HPWH may cool the room too much. Recommended room air temperature range is from 45 to 110 degrees.

Dear Jim: I have a new frost-free refrigerator. If I do not use the ice cubes fairly quickly, they disappear. How does the ice evaporate and is there something wrong with the freezer section? - Ronald L.

Dear Ronald: Ice itself does not actually evaporate much. A tiny amount of it melts during each self-defrost cycle and this evaporates. Over time they are gone. Most people generally use the ice cubes long before they disappear.

If they disappear too fast, it may indicate a problem with the self-defrost system. It may be getting too hot, running too long or often. This wastes electricity. Have it checked by a qualified technician.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, Publication Name, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.