Construction Informer

The GeoSpring(TM) will save an average consumer $325 a year on their utility bills and curb costs related to the second biggest energy drain in the home. (Photo: GE)

It looks like General Electric has made headway in the battle to get electric hot water heaters to be more efficient. The company claims the average homeowner can save about $325 a year by installing its new hybrid hot water heater that uses a heat pump in conjunction with a standard electric resistance element. Gee.

Nearly all Americans (96 percent) think improved appliance efficiency is important for personal financial reasons, yet many homeowners don’t realize the water heater is the second single-biggest, energy-consuming appliance in homes, behind the HVAC system.

GE’s GeoSpring Hybrid Water Heater combines energy-saving heat-pump technology with traditional electric heating systems used in most conventional water heaters on the market today. This hybrid technology is designed to absorb heat in ambient air and transfer it into the water. Since this requires much less energy than the energy used to generate radiant heat – as used in a conventional electric tank water heater – the GeoSpring Hybrid Electric Water Heater is more economical to operate.

Besides saving money, GE’s product general manager for water products, Stephen Downer explains the environmental benefits this way:

Approximately 50 percent of U.S. households use a standard electric water heater. If 25 percent chose a GeoSpring instead of a standard 50-gallon electric water heater, more than four billion pounds of CO₂ emissions on the U.S. grid could be avoided annually – equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 360,000 cars on U.S. roads. That’s a powerful way consumers can help the environment.

Other features of the GeoSpring include:

• It has same footprint and electrical connections as the standard electric water heater, making it easy to install.
• It provides the same amount of hot water as traditional 50-gallon standard electric water heaters.
• Its integrated electronics on the control panel offer exclusive features, such as Vacation mode, which will lower the water temperature to 50 degrees for the duration of a trip, and then automatically reenergize itself on the day before the homeowner’s return.
• It offers more control over water temperature, allowing you to adjust in one degree increments from 100 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

State and local tax credits and utility rebates for purchasing the ENERGY STAR-qualified energy-efficient water heater may also be available to benefit consumers.

Pricing and availability

GeoSpring will be available at national retailers in March such as Lowe’s and Sears and national plumbing distributors such as Ferguson as well as many local retailers and distributors. Estimated retail price: $1,199-$1,299. More information on features and availability is right here.