The Ruud HP50RU Heat Pump Water Heater is coming on the market this November to become a member of the highest efficiency class of water heaters recognized by Energy Star. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy which claims the average family could save around $300 per year by upgrading from a conventional electric water heater to an Energy Star Heat Pump Water Heater. Energy Star also says, “If everyone buying an electric water heater this year chose an Energy Star qualified heat pump model instead of a standard model, we would avoid 19.6 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. That’s the equivalent of taking 1.6 million cars off the road.”
The Ruud HP50RU Heat Pump Water Heater is scheduled to join the Ruud product line this fall. Ruud was founded by Edwin Ruud who invented the first automatic storage tank-type gas water heater while working for George Westinghouse in the 1880’s. The water heater went into production around 1889. Ruud later bought the rights to his invention from Westinghouse and in 1897 organized Ruud to produce water heaters. Today Ruud is a industry leader in water heating products for the home as well as for commercial and industrial applications. The Ruud HP50RU Heat Pump Water Heater is Energy Star approved making it eligible for Appliance Stimulus Program Rebates, Weatherization Assistance Program Grants if you are eligible, various State and Utility Rebate Programs in about 1/2 of the states, and a Federal Income Tax Credit. The time is never better to consider getting rid of the old water heater and start saving money.
The Ruud HP50RU Heat Pump Water Heater features a heat pump mounted on top of the water heater that functions like a refrigerator in reverse. The heat pump takes warmth out of the ambient air surrounding the unit and pumps it into the water in your water heater much like a refrigerator takes warmth out of the refrigerator and pumps it into your home. The Ruud HP50RU Heat Pump Water Heater draws cold water from the bottom of the water heater circulates it through the heat pump heating the water, and then puts it back into the water heater at the top. The Ruud HP50RU has 3 operation modes, Energy Saver (heat pump), Normal (heat pump with element backup), and Electric Heat Only (two elements). This Energy Saver mode provides an industry leading 2.0 energy factor (EF) and a first hour delivery of 67 GPH which is comparable to a standard 50 gallon electric model. The heat pump will provide beneficial side effects also as it will assist in cooling the area where it is located and provide dehumidification as well. The estimated payback for installing a Ruud HP50RU is 3½ years.
The Ruud HP50RU Heat Pump Water Heater features include a 50 Gallon Model with a 10-Year Limited Warranty, 2-1/2″ Non-CFC foam insulation, resistored anode rod protection to extend tank life, a RuudGlas lined tank, factory installed T&P valve, brass drain valve, side access connections, 3/4″ NPT water inlet, outlet and condensate drain connections, 21″ diameter which fits through access doors, replaces a standard electric water heater, stainless steel resistor elements, heat pump operating range 40° F to 120° F, built in freeze/overheat protection, and a top mounted washable air filter.
This fall as a near perfect scenario of Appliance Stimulus Package Rebates, Weatherization Assistance Program Grants, State and Utility Rebates, and the Income Tax Credits can reduce the payback to even faster than the estimated 3½ years.