tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post7431226025581071083..comments2024-02-25T14:08:42.814-05:00Comments on Just One Point Of View [justonepov.com]: GE Hybrid Water Heater - Does the Heat Pump Design Really Save Money?Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-77274933392338613052013-03-19T16:18:33.191-04:002013-03-19T16:18:33.191-04:00I have now owned the original GE Geo Spring. As an...I have now owned the original GE Geo Spring. As an HVAC commercial technician / supervisor here is my take:<br /><br />I developed an evaporator leak in the GE Geo Spring at 14 month mark, technically outside of the free 12 month warranty.<br /><br />GE was nice to me however and 2 GE appliance repairmen replaced the leaking evaporator without charge and restored the unit to service. Thank You GE.<br /><br />The question is not whether these are efficient, they are. When you go from drawing 19 amperes of current at 240 volts to just 2 amperes, trust me, it works. The amprobe does not lie !<br /><br />The big issue is the overall build quality of each and every brand. <br /><br />I paid around $900.00 for mine new. I also use mine as part of a geothermal system. My Carrier geothermal heat pump de superheats or preheats water going into an electrically disconnected water tank # 1 which stores heated water, then in turn, supplies the GE Geospring, tank # 2. <br /><br />As long as the household heat pump is running, my entering water on the Geo Spring is from 80 - 95 degrees F instead of 55 F winter, - 70 F summer. <br /><br />So, forget the yellow energy sticker on the tank that says usage can be down to $150.00 per year from $350.00. <br /><br />Apart from breakdowns, it now heats water for VERY little. It's not trying to heat 55 F water) For single tank users follow instructions and don't bury the unit in a basement 55F closet.<br /><br />Install it right, use it in the right way, and you'll get the benefit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-42143027635746756312013-03-11T14:58:28.724-04:002013-03-11T14:58:28.724-04:00Here is a link to the General Electric website wit...Here is a link to the General Electric website with their explanation of how the technology works.<br />http://www.geappliances.com/heat-pump-hot-water-heater/water-heater-features.htmKenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-22800731660277621532013-03-09T05:17:45.685-05:002013-03-09T05:17:45.685-05:00whts the basic principle bhhind it.... means how s...whts the basic principle bhhind it.... means how stuff wokr of this system....<br /> please replay me...<br /> -thanks.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466794031301235174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-37495547571196544012013-03-03T12:09:35.673-05:002013-03-03T12:09:35.673-05:00After careful consideration, I opted for a Nyle he...After careful consideration, I opted for a Nyle heat pump add on, which is mated to our SuperStor Ultra indirect water heater (http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo69/HereinHalifax/Img_1914.jpg). It operates at 115-volts and draws anywhere from 400 to 700-watts depending upon tank temperature, and is controlled by a mechanical timer that restricts its run time to off-peak hours. The timer is plugged into a power monitor that allows me to track its energy usage on a daily basis.<br /><br />From November 1st through February 28th, our Nyle consumed a total of 224.1 kWh or an average of 1.87 kWh/day (two person household and we both shower daily). As previously mentioned, the heat that is sacrificed for hot water production is supplied by a high efficiency heat pump with a seasonal COP of 2.7, so the final number is probably closer to 2.7 kWh/day. However, as also noted, it will supply us with "free" hot water for the six or seven months that we would normally operate our dehumidifier.<br /><br />We currently pay 14.3-cents per kWh, and after taking into consideration the additional space heating demand and subtracting from that our dehumidifier related savings, I estimate our DHW costs to be in the range of $75.00/year. Prior to this, we consumed about 500 litres a year of fuel oil for DHW purposes, which at $1.159 a litre works out to be $579.50. Thus, our simple payback is about two years.<br /><br />There's no doubt in my mind that we made the right call.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Paul EldridgeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-69791802118901329902013-02-27T02:07:56.546-05:002013-02-27T02:07:56.546-05:00One consideration is that at least in my location ...One consideration is that at least in my location (Sacramento Valley, CA) the cost to operate this water heater is approximately two solar panels. One time cost, no more expense for water heating. It actually works out much cheaper than using thermal water, plus now worries about freeze prevention - go figure.darell - EVnuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08996346823450198539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-12052221590668549632013-01-24T10:25:35.997-05:002013-01-24T10:25:35.997-05:00Following up to my Jan 2 2013 post...
GE just repa...Following up to my Jan 2 2013 post...<br />GE just repaired my GeoSpring water heater Heat Pump Failure code F-C for free. My water heater is about 2.5 years old which is past the warranty period where labor is included. A big THANK YOU to GE for excellent customer service and for standing by your product. I just hope the repair lasts so that I can continue to reap the full energy savings this unit delivers. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-78338325195231003302013-01-14T19:44:27.809-05:002013-01-14T19:44:27.809-05:00Our GE Hybrid just went Heat Pump Failure HPF F-C ...Our GE Hybrid just went Heat Pump Failure HPF F-C code, after 20 months. I hope GE can get this sorted out and cover these failures under warranty as we are very pleased with the unit otherwise. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-23499211507416599932013-01-12T16:21:27.659-05:002013-01-12T16:21:27.659-05:00I have had my GE Geospring for 2 years now and hav...I have had my GE Geospring for 2 years now and have not had any problems. The temperature control of the water is excellent, and if you require fast recovery (if you have guests and need more hot water than usual) the different modes allow it to switch to electric resistance heat seamlessly and automatically if it thinks the heat pump won't keep up. I can see a $20 - $25 savings each month.<br /><br />The fan in the heat pump has about 3 speeds. In summer when it is hot it runs slowly and doesn't make much noise. But in winter it can be noisy. Mine is installed in the garage in AZ. It doesn't really provide noticeable cooling -- It is basically like a 700W small air conditioner when it is running, which doesn't make much of a difference in a hot garage.<br /><br />I suppose it is like all things; It's great if you got one that works, and sucks if you got a lemon. I happen to think it is great. The payoff is much faster than even solar hot water. Most of the solar hot water systems end up using a ton of electric resistance heat in the morning when everyone showers and the sun isn't up yet.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-32624764745407813522013-01-07T23:51:57.859-05:002013-01-07T23:51:57.859-05:00Very interesting reading all of the comments on th...Very interesting reading all of the comments on these water heaters. I'll admit I'm a little skeptical of the benefit of this in my particular location (DC), but it should help with the humidity in the summer months. (Though the carrier infinity definitely solved that problem.)<br /><br />Anyways I stumbled across one for sale for $350 + tax. (Thanks Lowes fire sale!) At that price point it's cheaper than a standard 50 gallon water heater - so even if the compressor eats itself I believe that I'll still be ahead. (Now if it was only warmer in the DC metro...) Goodbye 21 year old heater with the broken dip tube...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-1372493849568828002013-01-06T21:02:56.210-05:002013-01-06T21:02:56.210-05:00I was truely considering purchasing one of GE'...I was truely considering purchasing one of GE's Hybrid units unitl thoroughly reading all of these postings. 70% of you reported negative experience and repeated failure/problems. What I find most disturbing is that a rep from GE wrote in on this blog way back at the begining, but no one has ever commented since. Makes you wonder why. Sorry for both my wallet and the environment... going to stick with my fossil fuel option.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-48032750351803992772013-01-02T10:03:31.045-05:002013-01-02T10:03:31.045-05:00Maybe they are extending the warrenty period... I...Maybe they are extending the warrenty period... I just called GE to report my GE GeoSpring water heater failure code: F-C. Like others have reported, I am to receive (3) parts by FedEx and my service appontment is in 3 weeks but here is the kicker... the repair will be completed "free of charge" (parts and labor)! My water heater is about 2.5 years old so it is well past the (1) year warranty period where the labor is included. NICE!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-1419947247215875322013-01-01T19:14:35.858-05:002013-01-01T19:14:35.858-05:00Does anyone know if GE is extending the original w...Does anyone know if GE is extending the original warranty period because of the many premature Code F-C "Heatpump Failures"? The high failure rate is unacceptable. Maybe some kind of class-action?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-26618427853623074722012-12-17T09:42:25.150-05:002012-12-17T09:42:25.150-05:00Thanks for the info and science behind the hybrid....Thanks for the info and science behind the hybrid. I've done a bit of research on water heaters as well. The GE Hybrid appears to be a good option for us given where we are locating it and how we will be using it. I purchased it from Sears 11/2012 for $999. In addition, I rec'd a 10% cash-back bonus from my credit card company (Sears promo w/ Discover was 10% cash-back at the time). Therefore, it cost me $900 plus tax. I posted some info on my energy blog as well for those interested: <br />http://oilobit.com/newsroom/2012/choosing-the-best-energy-efficient-water-heater/<br /><br />Again, thanks for the great content on the water heater.Greg Magnushttp://oilobit.com/newsroom/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-87368842916772188182012-12-04T16:01:17.466-05:002012-12-04T16:01:17.466-05:00I own the GE GeoSpring Hybrid (GEH50DNSRSA)on sale...I own the GE GeoSpring Hybrid (GEH50DNSRSA)on sale for $900 @ LOWES. When it works it is magnificent but it is not reliable after about a year or so and then you have a riggamaroll with GE to get it fixed. The powerboard went out...it's always the interface hardware that is weak.<br /><br />After install our electric bill drop 45% immediately every month for a year. We ran on the highest efficiency e-Heat mode. My wife and I have plenty of capacity @ 50 gal. since the kids moved out. We launder with cold water, always have. We have ground-source (geothermal) heating and cooling in our all electric house and we use CFE bulbs almost exclusively and our electric bill here in rural Missouri averaged out to $60/mnth.<br /><br />The technology is great but they need to get it right. Can you imagine if every home had one and they ran flawlessly.paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06563493899098468357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-63861401818284393952012-12-02T03:50:36.753-05:002012-12-02T03:50:36.753-05:00install a solar hot water heater before PV panels....install a solar hot water heater before PV panels.roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06412084826271753376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-45157026880021891952012-12-02T03:47:32.040-05:002012-12-02T03:47:32.040-05:00I bought one at Loew's for about $1,100 on sal...I bought one at Loew's for about $1,100 on sale and with a military discount. My handyman installed it for $275 because he had to run additional pipe and electric to allow access to the filter. (A regular water heater install would be about $100.) It's installed outside in Hawaii -- lots of free heat. Here's a tip: every month or two, hook up a garden hose to the drain valve and bottom blow the tank. Take out a gallon or two. You'll be amazed at the calcium and minerals that spray out. Do this religiously and you'll extend the life of any water heater. The GE has a high quality brass drain valve making this routine a snap.roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06412084826271753376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-60143932719632090012012-11-20T20:43:01.770-05:002012-11-20T20:43:01.770-05:00I live in the anthracite coal region of PA and I&#...I live in the anthracite coal region of PA and I'm in the process of shopping for a water heater to replace my leaking coal stoker heating unit. The GE hybrid unit is now out of contention and unless I can find some very reassuring reviews for other models in regards to reliability, hybrids in general are out. As the previous auto mechanic poster asks, why are these units leaking? I would have thought they'd be nearly bullet proof in this day and age. <br />As far as the origional poster's comments picking apart GE's labeling practices, I don't understand what your beef is. It is the consumers job to find out what the test data is really saying and figure out how to apply it to their real world situation. It is very unfortunate that GE does not provide this real world and circumstantial info to make our choices easier but does DOE test the products in the same manner? It looks like apples to apples to me. It is a complicated piece of new versus old tech but again it comes down to the consumer doing their research and home work or simply trusting a dealer/installer. That's why I'm here and, minus my head scratching about the GE lies of omission and ideal scenario performance claims - which is what nearly all major manufacturers of all products do - I'd say thank you for a very infomative forum and mission accomplished. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-72089951277672762322012-10-12T07:14:19.781-04:002012-10-12T07:14:19.781-04:00I have three issues with this unit.
1. I recentl...I have three issues with this unit. <br /><br />1. I recently built a new home and I tried to use products that were energy efficient, so I purchased a GE Hybrid water heater as an efficient means of heating our water. Almost from the start the unit has been plagued by problems. It's been leaking oil for months and I contacted GE to let them know and no response. Now the unit has an error code. The technician has so far replaced the main board and two sensors. That didn't work so now they are going to replace the evaporator coil and thermal expansion valve. These guy's are trying their best, but they have no clue as to the problem that is happening. I spoke to a GE rep to see if they could do something and their response was NO. The unit has to be declared un-repairable first.<br /> <br />I spent $1700 on a unit that hasn't given me any efficiencies thus far. <br /><br />2. This unit is it is not meant for colder climates. This unit is installed in a house heated by a heat pump and in order for the unit to generate heat it has to take the heat generated by my heat pump and use that to heat the water resulting in zero savings.<br /> <br />3. 50 gallons is not big enough for a family of four. I have to install a 40 gallon along side of this unit to meet the demands of our family.<br /> <br />Overall I am very dissatisfied with the GE Hybrid water heater and GE in general for marketing a such a product for Canada. I would almost go so far as saying it's false advertising.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-73548206570341416642012-09-28T09:21:45.831-04:002012-09-28T09:21:45.831-04:00I have to agree with you Paul,we live in the Catsk...I have to agree with you Paul,we live in the Catskill Mtns. and heat our 1300sqft house from September thru May with about 4 cords of wood and 75 gallons of oil, (4.15/gallon). Our basement is unfinished and we Dry-Locked the interior foundation and waterproofed the exterior of the foundation and improved the exterior storm water drainage. Our basement temp is 68F in August and 55F in January at 50% humidity. Our 75pint/day Energy star dehumidifier runs non-stop May to October. Natural gas is unavailable and propane is very expensive. I was hoping that the dehumidifying effects of the hot water heater would decrease the cost to run the dehumidifier but after reading some of the comments here I wonder if the hybrid water heater runs so little I am splitting hairs here. I also am concerned about the electronics on the hybrid heater, my electric from NYSEG is dirty with frequent fluctuations and outages. I have had to install UPC-AVR and line-R conditioners/ power supplies on all my TVs and electronics and a whole house surge arrester. What happens when a brown out or surge takes out a board on the hybrid? I do believe there is significant saving for my wife and I as long as the electronics hold up. When we rebuilt the house we used low water/ energy efficient appliances and shower heads and already reduced our electric by 50%. I need to check the warranty. Old Goldwingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15429299631842827985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-90286623296482597012012-09-06T22:48:10.429-04:002012-09-06T22:48:10.429-04:00Sounds like you don't know how to oPerate it o...Sounds like you don't know how to oPerate it or using it beyond its capacityAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-25819520934282188072012-08-28T09:20:18.250-04:002012-08-28T09:20:18.250-04:00I also have had my GE hybrid for 2 years 4 months....I also have had my GE hybrid for 2 years 4 months. I have just had the 2nd failure of the evaporator. The 1st was replaced under warranty, can't wait to see what the llabor will be for this repair. I am an auto repair tech. Why is GE having an issue with eveporator leaks. The unit operates under ideal conditions, no severe weather or vibration such as an automobilt sees. I am very disappointed. If it fails again next year I will be replacinfg it with a conventional unit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-15081880778016541222012-08-20T14:34:55.291-04:002012-08-20T14:34:55.291-04:00I have found everyone's information very usefu...I have found everyone's information very useful. I live in Hawaii and the air is almost always very humid so I am sure it would benefit the area that I live; however, I am much concern over the reliability of the GE Hybrid. I am actively looking into adding a Photovoltaic system to my roof but, would like to reduce the cost of that system by installing a more energy efficient water heater, but, don't want it giving me more problems. If GE would offer a better warranty on the system, then I would definitely consider it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-61956440842870418612012-08-04T20:59:25.048-04:002012-08-04T20:59:25.048-04:00Glad I found this article and all the helpful comm...Glad I found this article and all the helpful comments. I'm in the middle of my "trade study" to replace my current aging electric water heater. I am looking to go solar thermal with electric backup using one of the Rheem 80 or 120 gal tanks with the secondary loop wrapped around the main tank. I'm constantly weighing costs of solar piping, glycol and external panels... most of which will be DIY to make the ROI practical.<br /><br />So planning proceeds, but then I saw Lowes selling the GE HP Water Heater for about $1000. My ROI thinking was piqued.<br /><br />This is so much more a plug and play solution, but I still have questions about the energy used. The unit in best mode uses 800 Watts instead of 4500 watts. That's fine, but for how long. No one seems to have measured this.<br /><br />The comments above point towards complexity as potentially reducing ROI. I didn't think of that.<br /><br />The original article described the heatpump as heating the water as it comes into the tank. Am I to understand the heatpump will not heat the water actually in the tank... maintain mode?<br /><br />I am finding everyway possible to justify thermal solar. The heat-pump water heater is certainly a much simpler solution and is a welcome alternative.<br /><br />Thanks for pointing out some of the finer point of the heat-pump water heater.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-24383472943405594132012-07-02T11:42:28.990-04:002012-07-02T11:42:28.990-04:00Anonymous (07/02/2012) - And as part of the proces...Anonymous (07/02/2012) - And as part of the process, there is a potentially negative residual effect from the temperature of the air produced by the heat pump. I don't believe that anyone debates the effectiveness of the heat pump itself, but using self-contained heat pump water heater within the living area (i.e. not like the indoor / outdoor, two-piece unit used for conventional space heating), can adversely impact the heating and cooling requirements of that space.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519831519646337908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413221578516620291.post-5004401475625166322012-07-02T09:47:45.316-04:002012-07-02T09:47:45.316-04:00Just my thoughts on the thermodynamics and hybrid ...Just my thoughts on the thermodynamics and hybrid water heaters:<br /><br />This unit does not create "free energy". What it does is pump heat from the surrounding area into the water to be heated. <br />This process can be 2.4x more efficient than a standard resistive heater. This means that for the same kilowatt-hours of electric that is used in a resistive heater, you will get about 2.5x more hot water. Or, more simply, a hot shower will cost 2.5x less. <br />This is all due to the efficiency of heat pumps. A heat pump used to heat a house can be as much as 4x more efficient than a house that uses resistive heating elements. <br />It's also very true that the farther north that you are the less efficient these will be. This also applies to heat pumps used to heat and cool houses. There are far fewer heat pumps in Canada than in Florida or Texas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com