Consider a heat-pump water heater
New on the U.S. market but the technology is well known
Heat-pump water heaters use about half the electrical energy of conventional electric water heaters. They are relatively new to the market and as a result are not yet widely available, but the underlying technology is not new. These appliances, which can be mounted on top of an existing water heater, are air-source heat pumps that extract heat from the air in the mechanical room. Federal incentives may be available.
Green Points
LEED for HomesLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify.
: 3 points for a heat pump water heaterAn appliance that uses an air-source heat pump to heat domestic hot water. Most heat-pump water heaters include an insulated tank equipped with an electric resistance element to provide backup heat whenever hot water demand exceeds the capacity of the heat pump. Since heat-pump water heaters extract heat from the air, they lower the temperature and humidity of the room in which they are installed. with an energy factor of at least 2.0 (EA 7).
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions.
/ICC-700: 10 points for a heat pump water heater with an EF(EF). Efficiency measure for rating the energy performance of dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters, and certain other appliances. The higher the energy factor, the greater the efficiency. In some appliances EF reflects the percentage of energy going into the appliance that is turned into useful energy. of 2.0 (703.5.1).
Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia
Learn more in the Green Product Guide
