We jumped in both feet first! The old heater done sprung a leak!! Need to stress that I should have done much more homework/research!! Plan the area and make sure you have enough warmth for the unit to scavenge. Or it will only over work itself to death!! A plus is its also acting like a dehumidifier in the damp basement!! NEEA(Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance). Has compiled a list of units and their ratings. Wish I had seen this sooner!! Edit: I bought the A. O. Smith HP10-50H45DV which is only a tier 3 unit! I would be better suited with at tier 4.
I'll see what I can dig up, But assume(that's really bad!) its how it communicates to the local energy/utility company. Some of the units have the ability to switch to its eco mode during high energy demand to reduce the load on the grid. But thats just a guess. My unit does not have that feature.
Yeah. No thanks. I appreciate you looking it up. Next thing they are going to have is a toilet seat sensor that charges you extra for doing your business during high demand sewer times!!
The patented chit "o" meter!! Luckily I have septic and my only restraint is the size of my tank................ Edit, On further review. My heater has the connection for the optional port. It would be an upgrade/down grade per say??
There is a rebate program available for the purchase of such water heaters here. Be sure to check with your power supplier to see if they know of any.
I put a Richmond HPWH in a couple years ago...been happy with it...saves me at least $15/mo on my electric bill. (in HP only mode...which is where it stays)
Indeed, My utilities company had an instant rebate of $750. This allowed us to purchase the more expensive hybrid as it was about a wash after the rebate with a standard electric water heater.
Quite a few posts on heat pump water heaters… this might be helpful. Heat pump water heater vs. electric
After all the fuss of moving it to the center of the room and directly under a heat duct. This is still only making warm water in hybrid mode. Wife had a cool bath and wasn't pleased with the installer(me)!! Now I am really wondering what a higher efficient unit would do in its place!! Like the Rheem Performance Platinum 50 Gal. XE50T10H45U0 sold at HD for $100 less even!! I am totally kicking myself for not doing the research I should have done!! All I can do for now is keep in in electric mode. Unfortunately it will revert(default) to hybrid if the power flickers or 48 hrs after changing it to electric mode! So in order to keep/change its default to electric. Follow the procedure below!! I wish A.O. Smith would share this with customers!!
Oh bummer J! Have you called AO Smith? Get your purchase date and serial # registered incase it's more than a programming issue?
You read my mind, Just registered and also left reviews that aren't pleasant on both Lowes and google about their over hyped POS. I was a tactfully as possible, But let them know my displeasure of their over glorified electric water heater that might save half of the promised savings if I'm even lucky.
You're so polite Jay We're sorry you've had problems. We want to ensure this is resolved. Please send your phone number to [email protected] so we can reach out to you. Please include this review in your message to us.
This was the video that kind of sold me on the unit I purchased. No where in it does it say that hey if its too cold in the area will you not have but warm water!! Or did I miss something??