Hi Reggie, This isn't a hot water system heat pump, but we are very happy with the performance of the heat pump we tied into our forced air ventilation this summer. It now is our heating source on days when it is above 25 or 30 degrees outside, and has the additional benefit that it can be used to cool the house several degrees on the hottest summer days at relatively low financial and environmental cost. Heat pumps are less efficient at cold temperatures, and this one has to work harder when the temperature drops below freezing, but so far we haven't had to switch to our propane furnace although we will when it gets very cold. Brian did a lot of research before selecting one and the one he chose seems to be well-made - it runs quietly and effectively. (Note this is /not/ a 'split' system, this is a whole-house system.)
There probably are better and worse choices of make and model for all heat pumps, and there also are shortages right now because people have been doing pandemic renovations at the same time that there are supply chain problems, so the best ones may be backordered. But if you read up on the options & if necessary are willing to wait for the right one to come into stock, there are good heat pumps available, although they may cost more initially. Probably the same is true for hot water heat pumps. Another thought: tankless 'on demand' hot water systems save energy because they don't maintain a tank of water at temperature and also they don't waste energy heating long pipes that would otherwise lead from a tank to the place the water is needed. They aren't heat pumps but you can get an electric one, and that might be a different way to more efficiently meet your hot water needs if you are worried about the viability of a heat pump. In our house, the layout happens to allow for a single unit to be installed within less than 10' of all our hot water demand points, so we're going to try that. So far as I know, only the $300 STAR credit is available for these units, though. Good luck! Alicia P.S. Easily our most energy efficient change was the electric car Brian pushed for us to get three years ago. While electricity is only relatively carbon free right now, and the grid is going to have to get significantly more robust as more people use electricity for their cars and heating sources, I still feel a lot less guilt when we go anywhere. In addition to being much cheaper to 'fuel' it has the additional benefit of requiring far less maintenance. Tax rebates put the price roughly in the ballpark of our non-electric car choices. I am super happy we got it - anyone who will be buying a car soon might want to check out electric cars, especially since several models with 150+ mile battery life already are on the market and 250+ miles are due next year. (I'm not including Teslas, Jaguars & Mercedes - we're not in the that financial bracket!) On 12/11/2021 11:27 AM, Regi Teasley wrote: > Dave, > Judy and I are about to install one of the very items: a hot water > heat pump. We’re hoping it’s going to work but appreciate your > warning. I would encourage you to share your experience with Heat > Smart Tompkins so they are aware of this. They are doing all they can > to make this transition work. > **I want to second your point about reducing personal energy use. > Since we are having trouble getting the government to respond > effectively, it’s one thing we can do right now to make a difference. > Besides, I can still hear my mother saying, as she turned off the > lights in an empty room, “Do you think we work for Idaho Power?” Our > parents know a thing or two about conserving energy. > > Regi > > ____________ > /“If we surrendered to the earth’s intelligence, we could rise up > rooted, like trees.” Rainer Maria Rilke/ > > >> On Dec 11, 2021, at 11:02 AM, jasaul...@gmail.com wrote: >> >> >> >> *From:* bounce-126142461-89496...@list.cornell.edu >> <bounce-126142461-89496...@list.cornell.edu> *On Behalf Of *Dave Nutter >> *Sent:* Saturday, December 11, 2021 10:15 AM >> *To:* Hurf Sheldon <hurf...@gmail.com> >> *Cc:* CAYUGABIRDS-L <cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu> >> *Subject:* Re: [cayugabirds-l] A great read for birders to consider >> by Bryan Pfeiffer >> >> My wife and I want to minimize both our energy use and our fossil >> fuel use. Because of our modest income, we qualified for a subsidy >> through this exact fund to get a hybrid electric water heater last >> year. It uses an air source heat pump, which chills the basement, as >> well as the standard much-less-energy-efficient electric resistance >> heating as a backup. After we got this water heater, a representative >> of Halco, who bought out the smaller local company which installed >> the water heater, told us that all appliances these days are not >> built to last, and urged us to buy a maintenance package with a >> yearly fee which would have eaten up our monetary savings on >> energy. This morning we are having Halco come look at the water >> heater, because the air source heat pump part, which was surprisingly >> noisy, has quit working. A previous electric water heater, which came >> with the old house we bought, had worked for an additional 20 years >> before it had any problems. >> >> We thought we were doing something good for the environment, and >> maybe we were, but some wealthier people who burn a lot of fossil >> fuel for a more extravagant lifestyle and realize their impact but >> want to clear their conscience, those folks are also taking the credit. >> >> Carbon offsets are neither simple nor clear in the way they work, if >> they work at all. IMO, there’s no substitute for actually reducing >> personal energy use in general and fossil fuel use in particular. >> >> - - Dave Nutter >> >> >> On Dec 9, 2021, at 10:34 PM, Hurf Sheldon <hurf...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> This is a very good option for carbon offsetting: >> >> https://www.fingerlakesclimatefund.org/ >> >> cheers, >> >> hurf >> >> On Thu, Dec 9, 2021 at 11:24 AM Regi Teasley >> <rltcay...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Totally agree. I have always thought that birders are a >> “sleeping giant” that can make a /big/ difference. >> >> Regi >> >> ____________ >> >> /“If we surrendered to the earth’s intelligence, we could >> rise up rooted, like trees.” Rainer Maria Rilke/ >> >> >> >> On Dec 9, 2021, at 8:50 AM, Donna Lee Scott >> <d...@cornell.edu> wrote: >> >> I like this idea, Bob. >> >> Re SPCA, they do more than any other group to neuter/spay >> feral cats, & also cats of low-income people, with their >> free feral program & their low-cost program for pets of >> those with limited means. I sometimes trap ferals here & >> take them to SPCA. >> >> All animals adopted from SPCA go home neutered. >> >> And to repeat what I have recently posted at various >> online places: >> >> The Finger Lakes Land Trust really needs donations NOW >> for the purchase of the Bell Station land from NYSEG. >> >> for more info see www.fllt.org/savebellstation >> <http://www.fllt.org/savebellstation> >> >> This explains the way this deal works. >> >> NYS didn’t buy BS from NYSEG; nys just convinced NYSEG & >> Public Service Commission to let FLLT buy Bell Station >> for later transfer to NYS DEC as a Wildlife Mgt. Area, >> ensuring public access to this wonderful lakeshore-woods. >> >> Non-profit FLLT does a masterful job at saving land from >> development in various ways & they always emphasize that >> what they do creates, improves & saves habitat for birds >> & wildlife! >> >> Donna Scott >> >> Lansing >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> >> >> On Dec 9, 2021, at 8:31 AM, Stephanie P. Herrick >> <s...@cornell.edu> wrote: >> >> >> >> I like this idea Bob, for two reasons: >> >> 1. It benefits two worthy and appropriate local groups >> >> 2. The very act of making a mindful contribution >> encourages us to reflect on why we are doing it >> >> Thanks for suggesting! Looking forward to others >> thoughts! >> >> - S >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> *From:*bounce-126137445-82496...@list.cornell.edu >> <bounce-126137445-82496...@list.cornell.edu> on >> behalf of bob mcguire <bmcgu...@clarityconnect.com> >> *Sent:* Thursday, December 9, 2021 8:20:11 AM >> *To:* Dave Nutter <nutter.d...@me.com> >> *Cc:* linda orkin <wingmagi...@gmail.com>; John >> Gregoire <johnandsuegrego...@gmail.com>; >> CAYUGABIRDS-L <cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu> >> *Subject:* Re: [cayugabirds-l] A great read for >> birders to consider by Bryan Pfeiffer >> >> Me too (a movement here?). >> >> And I have one small idea on how to deal with it. >> Bird clubs organize field trips, and participation is >> free. What if each participant was encouraged (not >> required, just encouraged) to donate - say - $10 to >> either the Land Trust or the SPCA? The Land Trust >> because they are a major player in habitat >> conservation, and the SPCA because they (and I’d have >> to check this out) play a role in reducing the number >> of feral/outdoor cats. Local organizations, local >> impact. >> >> Could something like this fly? >> >> Bob McGuire >> >> >> >> On Dec 8, 2021, at 4:11 PM, Dave Nutter >> <nutter.d...@me.com> wrote: >> >> Better said than I could have, though such >> concerns have been brewing for me a long time. >> So, how do we deal with it? As individuals, as >> organizations, as unorganized groups? Thoughts >> welcome. >> >> - - Dave Nutter >> >> >> On Dec 8, 2021, at 11:02 AM, Linda Orkin >> <wingmagi...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Thanks John. >> >> Yes I had also read that, with great >> interest. Lots to think about. I embrace >> these thoughts fully. >> >> Linda Orkin >> >> Ithaca, NY >> >> >> >> On Dec 8, 2021, at 10:21 AM, John >> Gregoire <johnandsuegrego...@gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >> >> >> Birdwatching’s Carbon Problem | Bryan >> Pfeiffer >> >> <https://bryanpfeiffer.com/2021/12/02/birdwatchings-carbon-problem/> >> >> -- >> >> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* >> >> Welcome and Basics >> >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> >> >> Rules and Information >> >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> >> >> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >> >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> >> >> *Archives:* >> >> The Mail Archive >> >> <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> >> >> Surfbirds >> >> <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> >> >> BirdingOnThe.Net >> <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> >> >> *Please submit your observations to eBird >> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* 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<http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> >> >> *Please submit your observations to eBird >> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* >> >> -- >> >> -- >> >> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* >> >> Welcome and Basics >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> >> >> Rules and Information >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> >> >> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >> >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> >> >> *Archives:* >> >> The Mail Archive >> >> <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> >> >> Surfbirds >> <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> >> >> BirdingOnThe.Net >> <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> >> >> *Please submit your observations to eBird >> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* >> >> -- >> >> -- >> >> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* >> >> Welcome and Basics >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> >> >> Rules and Information >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> >> >> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >> >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> >> >> *Archives:* >> >> The Mail Archive >> >> <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> >> >> Surfbirds >> <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> >> >> BirdingOnThe.Net >> <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> >> >> *Please submit your observations to eBird >> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* >> >> -- >> >> -- >> >> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* >> >> Welcome and Basics >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> >> >> Rules and Information >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> >> >> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >> >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> >> >> *Archives:* >> >> The Mail Archive >> <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> >> >> Surfbirds >> <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> >> >> BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> >> >> *Please submit your observations to eBird >> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* >> >> -- >> >> -- >> >> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* >> >> Welcome and Basics >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> >> >> Rules and Information >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> >> >> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >> >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> >> >> *Archives:* >> >> The Mail Archive >> <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> >> >> Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> >> >> BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> >> >> *Please submit your observations to eBird >> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* >> >> -- >> >> -- >> >> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* >> >> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> >> >> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> >> >> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> >> >> *Archives:* >> >> The Mail Archive >> <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> >> >> Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> >> >> BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> >> >> *Please submit your observations to eBird >> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* >> >> -- >> > -- > *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* > Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> > Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> > *Archives:* > The Mail Archive > <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> > Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> > BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> > *Please submit your observations to eBird > <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* > -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
