Hmmmm, the gen I'm using has a bonded neutral and even if it didn't the transfer switch we installed would take care of any issue, so I'm guessing the power from the gen is just too "dirty" for the HPHW electronics. I'm going to call the manufacture today and see what they say. The water heater goes through a startup procedure that takes 8 minutes!
Confirmed by State water heater tech, wont run on gen power, too dirty...shame cuz the unit only draws 1-2 amps in efficiency mode.
I wonder if it would work on the electric elements only? (emergency heat) At least you'd have hot water if the power goes out for a few days...if your genny is big enough to pull it. I'm pretty sure my Richmond can be set to run elements only...because I remember thinking when I was reading about it that if the HP goes out, at least I'm not totally screwed (unless the control panel goes too)
Tried element only still wont work, it is apparently sensing something during the start up, which there is no way to circumvent.
Sounds like I'd need an 220v AC to DC to AC, which without even looking into it sounds expensive. I think we will just deal with cold showers or shower at work.
To bring this thread back to original idea. Thinking about ordering 1 today! My boss just ordered one for his house $800 instant rebate from power company $200 check from efficiency VT in 2 weeks $300 tax credit on 2020 taxes total cost after rebates and credits $157 Cheaper than a new dehumidifier
Looking into rebates and repercussions. If I had electric water heater now would be done. Sales good til end of August but have to put in furnace room til installed. Have oil hot water now!
Repercussions...you mean like not enough capacity left on your breaker panel to pull it? Just FYI, if it is left in HP mode only, it only pulls a few amps...IIRC mine was showing ~300 watts per leg. I bought mine in the summer (sale) and stored it until I had time to install it in the winter...finished it up on Christmas, or Christmas eve I think it was...
brenndatomu its ordered, repercussions; no after electrical fire I have enough open breakers FHC My current hot water is oil fired hot water heater separate zone. The chimney is clay tiles and in perfect condition Probably because our furnace runs every day for at least half an hour and due to the showers dishes etc. I assume it’s perfect because zero moisture and freezing in chimney. No moisture warm no damage Because for 16 of 18 years I lived here; I only had 100 amp service with 20 total breakers nothing new used electric if other options available. my monthly electric bill averages $75 for 450kw Everyone else in area average $250 plus My boiler uses 100 gallons of oil March to November for hot water only tests out at 89.6% even though rating max them at 86% efficiency IN SHORT; I do way too much To save $$ to pay off mortgages!!
We still only have 100 amp panel...and fuses! The first thing I did when I moved in was to remove all the 30 amp fuses that the former owner had in everything...went through each circuit and checked wire size and where it went, put the correct size fuse in...no problems. 100A is enough for us...but there is no expansion capacity for anything new (high draw) either. I have been slowly replacing them with Bussmann fuse/breakers...fuses are getting to be too expensive...and the peck basket full of spares that came with the house is about out of 15A fuses after 21 years...still have plenty of 20's though! Your kWh usage is admirable, especially for having 2 women in the house...but your kWh rate is almost 50% higher than ours (11.9 vs 16.6) Even with fuel oil prices being down, and your kWh rate being a little higher, I think you will still see some nice savings/benefits from the HPWH...oil fired hot water is generally considered to be the most inefficient...plus, depending on your setup, you may have been losing a bunch of heat up that chimney 24/7 in the winter heating season.
Our KW prices are .08 but fees for efficiency Vermont raise and to have service raise real costs to 11
Too complicated , irregular, expensive. Get a "i" powered gen to avoid dirty power. Then go tankless ( like most of the other world )
