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TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE



        More e‘cient and affordable than ever, new technology reaches into every

        system behind the walls of the modern home. Here’s what you need to know:





            HOT WATER: INNOVATION ABOUNDS


            This category has seen rapid expansion of high-efficiency alternatives.
            While the most efficient of all may be hot water solar systems, these perform
            differently depending on the climate. Innovative mechanical systems include:


            ON-DEMAND HOT WATER                                 HYBRID HEAT PUMP HOT WATER HEATERS
            Super  efficient,  they                             Like their cousins, mini-split heat pumps for room
            typically run on natural                            conditioning, heat pump water heaters “extract” heat
            gas.  One  unsung  area                             from nearby air efficiently and apply it where it’s
            of efficiency with cer-                             wanted. This technology is truly game-changing, in
            tain brands has been the                            part because utilities have embraced it, and in some
            downsizing of the watt-                             cases offered huge rebates on the equipment. Because
            age consumed by water                               these devices save up to $475 a year in electric costs,
            pumps. Veissman,  for                               their payback period can be as little as one year, once
            example,  claims  that                              a $750 rebate is factored
            its newer boilers move                              in to the purchase cost.
            water with only about a                               An  important  and
            tenth of the electricity                            unsung technical detail
            found in older pumps.                               about these units, how-
                                                                ever, is that they extract
            INDIRECT POINT SOURCE ELECTRIC HOT WATER            heat  from  whatever
            Many companies now offer small “point of use” hot    room they’re placed in.
            water tanks. Ranging in size from two gallons to about   They  also  reduce  hu-
                                         10 gallons, they tend   midity  in  that  space.
                                         to be well insulated,   This  makes  them  an
                                         and  many  models      ideal system for a damp
                                         run on standard 110-   basement, because they
                                         volt power. Generally   do “double duty” as a de-
                                         better insulated than   humidifier, while heat-
                                         their  predecessors,   ing water. This can be
                                         these small tanks stay   problematic in the winter in northern climates, how-
                                         hot with less power    ever: If the cellar space is not conditioned, or partially
                                         usage. Combine them    conditioned, they could drop temperatures to the point
                                         with ultra-low  flow   where plumbing could freeze. Fortunately, newer mod-
                                         showerheads and sink   els allow you to switch between heat pump operation
            aerators, and they can dramatically reduce domestic   and conventional electric element, so you can avoid
            hot water costs.                                    this problem.


        22ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR ENERGY AND WATER CONSERVATION
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