ALBANY, NY — The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in cooperation with ECR International and the Hudson Mohawk Chapter of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (HMRSES) recently announced the start of a new program initiative designed to promote the installation of energy-efficient heat pump water heaters (HPWH).

The program, which was developed under NYSERDA’s New York Energy Smart program, is a pilot program. The primary objective is to have customers install heat pump water heaters when replacing old, inefficient electric water heaters. According to NYSERDA, heat pump water heaters have a superior efficiency rating compared to even new electric units. A second objective of the pilot program is to develop an infrastructure of contractors trained to properly install and service heat pump water heaters. This program is being started in the Capital Region and will expand statewide once the pilot is complete.

A training workshop was recently held for contractors to learn how to potentially save consumers up to 60% on their monthly water heating bill. Attendees learned about program requirements, including: how to participate; how to better position their business through the sale of energy-efficient products, such as a HPWH; and the installation, operation, and maintenance requirements of the HPWH. The incentive structure associated with the HPWH product was explained, including how consumers can receive $300 and contractors $100 for each qualified HPWH installed.

Contractors will be required to attend a training workshop to qualify for these incentives and consumers will be required to select a participating HPWH contractor.

NYSERDA administers the New York Energy Smart programs, which are designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the state’s electric utilities move to competition. The programs are available to all electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc., and Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation.

For more information on New York Energy Smart programs, visit www.GetEnergySmart.org. For more information on the Hudson Mohawk Chapter of RSES, visit www.timesunion.com/communities/rses. For more information on the heat pump water heater, visit www.ecrinternational.com/prod_wattersaver.asp.

Publication date: 10/07/2002