Transcript:
When you turn on the faucet to take a shower, you only want the water to be warm. You don't want to consider which energy to use to heat it up. But utilities do.
With the popularity of electric heat pump water heaters, some Western utilities are testing technology that can adjust how long these devices use electricity when they have more clean energy on the grid.
Whited: “The heat pump water heater is really easy to control.”
Wesley Whited works with global consulting firm DNV. This can be done while maintaining the comfort of residents, he said.
Whide: “Residents … can really predict how hot water is available. So think about your morning routine. We use a lot of hot water in the morning because we prepare our family for school and work. However, we don't have a lot of hot water demand at 1pm, which is actually we have a lot of extra renewable energy on the grid.”
This approach can help consumers save money as they transfer energy use to a richer and cheaper time. It can help the grid use more cleaning energy, thereby reducing carbon pollution.
So Whit said he was excited about the technology. White: “From a climate perspective, heat pump water heaters will indeed be the hero of future energy transition.”
Report Credit: Chavobart Digital Media
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