PORTLAND, Ore. — A.O. Smith has introduced a new model of heat pump water heater that the company says can reduce electric water heating costs by as much as 71 percent for some homeowners.

A.O. Smith said its engineers refreshed the Voltex line to improve energy efficiency benefits and performance for homes in all climates, including homes that routinely deal with cold weather.

These improvements qualify the Voltex for the highest tier of efficiency under the Advanced Water Heater Specification. This specification was developed by an alliance of Northwest utilities, energy efficiency organizations, and market partners under the umbrella of Hot Water Solutions, a program facilitated by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA). The goal of this program is to advance higher performing electric heat pump water heaters.

“The new Voltex hybrid electric heat pump can reduce electric water heating costs by as much as 71 percent for some homeowners,” according to David Chisolm, vice president of marketing for A.O. Smith. “Contractors can confidently recommend a Voltex heat pump water heater to their customers across the Northwest as a way for them to save money and energy, while still delivering the same reliable hot water.”

Over the past three years, Northwest utilities and the Hot Water Solutions program have supported increased energy efficiency performance and influenced the sale of over 13,000 electric heat pump water heaters, paving the way for this technology.

Heat pump water heaters have the potential to bring about major energy savings to the Northwest region. Currently 55 percent of Northwest homes have electric water heaters. If all of those homes used high-efficiency heat pump water heaters, the region could save nearly 300 average megawatts by 2025 — the equivalent to powering all the homes in Spokane and Boise annually.

“We know that heat pump technology has a tremendous potential to save energy. That’s why we’re working as a region to spread the word, and with manufacturers to keep improving the efficiency and performance of these products,” said Jill Reynolds, program manager at NEEA.

Consumers can currently offset the cost of a heat pump water heater by combining utility rebates with state and federal tax credits. Utilities across the Northwest offer between $120-$1,000; Oregon and Montana residents can receive between $300-$600 in state tax credits and homeowners can receive up to $300 in federal tax credits. Many manufacturers also offer promotional markdowns. To learn more about heat pump water heaters and available promotions and rebates, visit https://hotwatersolutionsnw.org.

For more information about A.O. Smith and its Voltex line, visit www.hotwater.com.

Publication date: 7/26/2016

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