I posted in February about installing a new hybrid hot water heater. Although the initial price was almost $1000 higher, it is supposed to cost less to operate.
6 months later, I have some data. Comparing kilowatt-hours consumed in 2011 with 2010, my average monthly bill is $43 less than it would have been at last year’s usage. So I would expect in a year to save about $515, paying for the extra cost of the heater in less than 2 years.
Of course every year is different, and this is hardly a scientific study. And it doesn’t include the coldest winter months when a heat pump is less efficient. But it is interesting, none-the-less.
Later this month or early next month I will have my solar panels installed, so that will make it harder to track the savings from the water heater as everything will be changing.
Do you think you will change your hot water use times – showering, laundry, and dishwasher – to daylight times, or won’t it make any difference?
Comment by Dale — October 12, 2011 @ 1:21 pm
It shouldn’t matter. If we create more electricity than we use with the solar panels, we just get a credit from the power company that gets applied to our night time use or the next bill, if there is a surplus.
Comment by Daryl — October 12, 2011 @ 6:42 pm