What does high-performance alternative mean?

By definition an alternative is one of two or more available options. In this case all options we explore this month provide homeowner benefits that are far superior to standard conventional choices. Some high-performance benefits include superior comfort, more convenience, higher capacity, or lower monthly operating costs.

According to EESI (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) more than 40 percent of the total energy and 70 percent of electricity consumed in the United States is used for operating buildings. EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration) finds more than half of that energy consumption is used for heating and cooling buildings. The number jumps to more than three quarters after accounting for hot water production. Clearly alternative heating, cooling and hot water systems that perform at higher levels can significantly reduce operating costs of buildings while having a positive contribution to environmental and climate stewardship.

The DOE (U.S. Department of Energy) finds that GSHP (ground-source heat pumps) use 25 to 50% less electricity than conventional heating and cooling systems. Additionally, GSHPs reduce energy emissions up to 72 percent compared with electric resistance heating with standard air-conditioning.

The IEA (International Energy Agency) was formed in 1974 to increase energy security through energy conservation and the development of alternative energy sources. A 2020 study found heat pump water heaters well suited for single family residential hot water demands and are capable of delivering water temperatures Hot enough to prevent legionella bacteria in drinking water piping and at significant energy savings.

To learn more about high-performance alternatives for your home, please contact our Senior Solutions Advisor at 816-635-2493 or advisor@ushpg.com. 

Future Proof Your Home with a Ground-Source Heat Pump

Coming decades are expected to be hotter and more humid. According to a study sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency weather events are forecast to increase both in severity and frequency through the end of the century. The paper assessed the impact of these changes to housing and shelter, specifically the number of days per year at elevated temperatures above 90 o F and accompanying increased rainfall and humidity. Based on these forecasts, the DOE (U.S. Department of Energy) expects more intense storms and extreme heat waves. Rising temperatures will shift energy requirements from less heating to more cooling, thus risk of human heat stress within buildings will increase. The more energy efficient a building and mechanical systems, the more resilient the home is in the face of extreme temperatures, and higher levels of humidity.

Impact to air-source heat pumps and standard air-conditioning systems. Because conventional systems, both air-conditioners and air-source heat pumps, rely on outdoor air temperatures in order to provide cooling, elevated temperatures and higher humidity will negatively affect system performance and capacity. Specifically, higher outdoor temperatures during summer inhibit conventional systems heat transfer into the outdoor air, elevated levels of humidity further challenge these systems.

Ground-source heat pumps provide a high-performance alternative. Because all ground-source heat pump equipment is housed indoors, and the exterior earth loops are buried inside the yard, GSHPs do not rely on outdoor air temperatures and instead use the earths steady year-round temperature. By protecting the heating and cooling equipment from outdoor weather and using the solar energy stored in the earth, ground-source heat pumps are both a durable and reliable heating and cooling solution into the future. The ACEEE (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy) identifies high-performance heating and cooling systems as a resilient technology moving forward.

Reduce Water Heating Operating Cost By 75 Percent

Cost to make hot water will become more important in the future. According to the EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration) water heating is the second largest energy user in a typical home, accounting for 17 to 23% of total consumption. Continued focus on energy conservation measures in homes particularly higher levels of insulation and air-tightness will reduce energy requirements for space conditioning. As energy demand for heating and cooling decrease, hot water production will become a larger percentage of homes total energy use.

Traditional tanked gas and electric water heaters are expensive to operate. UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) is a DOE (U.S. Department of Energy) rating assigned to all water heating products. The rating allows consumers to compare various water heating products based on efficiency and operating costs. Simply, the higher the UEF of a water heater, the more efficient the unit performs and less energy must be purchased to make hot water. Conventional water heating products offer a UEF between .51 to .95. That range translates to 51 to 95 cents on the dollar. As an example, a water heater with a UEF of .75 would use 75 cents of your dollar to make hot water, the other 25 cents are wasted.

Heat pump water heaters offer a high-performance alternative.
Electric heat pump water heaters offer ultra-high UEFs that range from 2.75 to as high as 3.9, meaning for every dollar spent on electricity nearly 4 dollars of hot water can be produced. Additionally, many heat pump water heaters produce higher water temperatures than conventional systems resulting in much higher FHRs (first- hour ratings). This rating calculates how much hot water is available to the home in the first sixty minutes of use. The rating takes into account the quantity of heated water in the tank plus how quickly the system recovers from demand usage. Higher FHR lowers the chances of running out of hot water and is particularly suited for high demand situations when simultaneous hot water fixtures are opened or larger homes. Some of the newest heat pump technologies include environmentally friendly refrigerants hermetically sealed at the factory. This helps prevent refrigerant leaks, and in the unlikely event of a leak, refrigerant does not pose ozone depletion or global warming risks. Heat pump water heating systems using CO 2 refrigerant are the most environmentally friendly form of water heating available. Lastly, heat-pump water heaters have some of the longest and most comprehensive warranties available. Some manufacturers offer up to 15-year warranties.

Home Performance Group is a licensed, insured, bonded, and certified full-service heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing company offering design, sales, service, repair, and maintenance. Our focus is providing total value to clients through first-class service experiences, ongoing education, industry-leading equipment, peace of mind knowing work is completed correctly and safely, and engaged communications.