can this be installed in an existing residence, if so where would the unit be located??

1 ANSWERS

1. Guest6530
   

   Yes, it is almost certainly possible.  Whether it makes sense depends on the nature of the unit that you would be replacing and your particular situation.
   
   This unit will deliver the best savings where you have excess heat for the pump to transfer into the water, which is why GE's traveling exhibit is concentrating on the southern U.S. first.
   
   If your current water heater is gas then you will probably be faced with adding a dedicated 30 amp circuit to the installation location to supply power for this electric unit.  This may or may not be a good idea depending on the relative costs of gas vs. electricity at your location.  Gas water heaters are often better at delivering a sustained supply of hot water, though the GeoSpring unit does have a mode that will use both electric elements plus the heat pump to try to keep up -- obviously at a higher energy cost when it is required.
   
   If your existing unit is electric then you probably have a 30 amp circuit in place, as is typically the case for tanks of this size (50 gallons), but you need to verify before making your decision.  If your current unit is 50 gallons in size then this unit should replace it easily.  Your savings will depend on how much excess heat is available in the installation environment and your usage pattern.
   
   Currently there is a tax credit available for this unit of 30 percent of the purchase and installation cost up to a maximum of $1500, so that helps as the initial investment is significantly higher thab a conventional unit.
   
   In my personal case I decided to go with the GeoSpring unit to replace an older 50 gallon electric unit even though I am in a climate where I will be heating the location for a third of the year.  Much of the other part of the year we have warm conditions when I will be able to run exclusively on the heat pump.  I can always switch to the mode where I use the standard pair of water heater elements exclusively -- which will be at least as efficient as my old unit (probably better considering that it was 20 years old).  Since I often travel for weeks at a time the vacation mode is attractive since I am only paying to keep the tank at 50 degrees until the night before I get home.

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