Energy Awareness Month - Switch to a Heat Pump Water Heater

October is Energy Awareness Month and for this year we want to highlight a great way you can save on your energy use! Switching to a Heat Pump Water Heater is one way you can save on your monthly energy usage since water heaters make up a large portion of our monthly energy use.

Heat Pump Water Heaters, or HPWH, are fully electric and work by removing heat from the surrounding air and transferring that heat to the water. Learn more at Ava Community Energy's website. HPWH use 63% less energy than gas-burning water heaters, according to Ava Community Energy, and there is no pilot light. HPWH also have no risk of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, or gas leaks. Take advantage of rebates and incentives that can significantly lower the cost of HPWH installation. Visit Ava Community Energy's incentive finder to find out about the rebates and incentives for which you are qualified. Changing your water heater to a HPWH also makes you eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% (up to $2000).

Electrifying your home or business can lead to decreased energy over time and cheaper monthly energy bills, reduced emissions of fossil fuels and toxic gasses, and more efficient appliances. In the next few years, electric water heaters and furnaces will be required when the appliances are replaced. Switching to a heat pump water heater before they become mandatory is a proactive move that can save you money by taking advantage of incentives that are currently available.

More tips for saving energy use and money include:

• Turn off heating/air conditioning during peak usage times of the day.

• Install LED lightbulbs, which are more energy efficient than regular light bulbs.

• Unplug devices when you aren't using them (TV, chargers, kitchen appliances lamps, space heaters, and more).

• Install a Smart Thermostat to adjust temperature to your daily routine.

• Invest in ENERGYSTAR appliances which are designed to be more energy efficient.

Are you a contractor? Get paid $1,000 for each heat pump water heater you install. Learn more here.