ST. LOUIS Theres a new warning about fire dangers with prolonged extreme cold in the forecast for St. Louis.

An overturned space heater likely sparked a deadly garage fire in south St. Louis, according to firefighters.

It was not the kind of call you would necessarily think would end in tragedy. Firefighters responded to a garage fire on South Spring near Osceola just after 10 p.m. Saturday.

Investigators werent sure if the man who died fell asleep in the garage before the fire broke out but said there were signs he was trying to make things warm for his pets.

The individual, according to initial reports, was using an electric space heater in the garage trying to keep his dogs warm, said St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson.

In December, space heaters sparked a fire that chased a family of sevenincluding five children ages 6 and underfrom their south St. Louis home, according to firefighters. All survived but they lost everything.

With extreme cold, even below zero temperatures expected over the next week, Jenkerson advised people to simply avoid using known fire hazards like space heaters or electric blankets.

If you must, make sure they are tagged with a UL listing; do not plug them into power strips or extension cords; keep them at least three feet away from everything on all sides.

If you have to use one, keep it in the middle of the room. Only use it if youre in the room with it. When you leave the room, turn it off, Jenkerson said.

Jeff Holmes, an electrician with the IBEW training center in St. Louis, advised people to check all cords and outlets for discoloration or fraying, use GFCI outlets if possible, and do not use an overloaded circuit.

The longer the cords, the more heat escapes from the wires, he said.

Any time you have current flow you have heat. So, you want to make sure you eliminate as much heat as you possibly can. Let all the heat come out of the appliance youre trying to use for heating the area not the cords and other (things) that go with that, Holmes said. The closer you can plug into the outlet itself, the less amount of heat youre going to draw because of that distance you have a voltage drop then you cause more current to flow, so you want to keep that distance as short as possible.

Heres a link for more tips, which include:

Space Heaters/Electric Blankets Never use an extension cord for an electrical heating appliance, such as a space heater or an electric blanket. The cord provided with the heating device is properly rated and should be connected directly to the electrical outlet. Inspect your space heater and discard it if it shows deterioration, particularly around the plug-in cord, or it lacks a functioning automatic shut off if tipped over. Watch where you place the space heaters to keep it away from combustible materials. Keep children away from space heaters. Closely inspect electric blankets and heating pads and discard them if you note any potential fire hazard, such as discoloration due to overheating or exposed wiring. Extension Cords Never use an extension cord for an extended time as a permanent or temporary wiring solution. Extension cords arent made to be used for long periods of time and can result in electrical fires. When you are using an extension cord, always ensure that the plug has all three prongs. This ensures that your cord will stay properly grounded, which could prevent the cord from overloading. Any extension cords without the third prong should be discarded immediately. Outlets Dont overload sockets with plugs that could start a fire. Any electrical outlets in your home that are near a water sourcesinks, bathtubs, washing machinesrequire a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) according to the National Electrical Code. A GFCI is a fast-acting circuit breaker that shuts down your electricity as quickly as 1/40 of a second after a fault occurs. If youre missing a GFCI an electrical professional can easily install one for you. Wiring Visually inspect your homes service panel and note any potential concerns. Contact a licensed professional if the panel is not firmly attached to the wall or wires are not neatly enclosed within their protective box or if the deterioration is noted. Also, contact a licensed professional if you note wiring connection points are not capped with a wire connector and enclosed within an appropriate UL approved junction box.

If youre worried about a heater being safe, call the fire department, Jenkerson said.

Firefighters will check them out for you and remember theyll install free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, too.

Original post:
With frigid temperatures in the days ahead, firefighters caution against unsupervised use of space heaters - KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis

As temperatures drop, things can get dangerous.

It's important to be prepared, take precautions and know your resources.

Here's a look at some things you should know as brutal cold descends on the Chicago area.

How Do I Know If I Have Hypothermia?

Hypothermia is caused by a drop in body temperature to 95 degrees or less, which can become deadly, officials said.

Signs of hypothermia include:

According to a release, infants and the elderly are more at risk of hypothermia, which should not be treated at home. Individuals suspected to have the condition should be treated at a hospital.

How Should I Avoid Frostbite?

Frostbite could set in on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes, officials said. The face, ears, hands and feet tend to be the most commonly impacted.

According to a release, frostbite skin is whitish and stiff, and tends to feel numb rather than painful.

In order to treat frostbite, officials advised to warm the affected part of the body gradually before seeking medical attention.

"Wrap the frostbitten area in blankets, sweaters, coats, etc. and seek medical attention immediately," a release said.

Officials warned to not rub frostbitten areas of the skin because the friction can damage the tissue.

Though officials advised people in the Chicago area stay indoors during the cold, these are some ways to keep warm should residents need to go outside, according to a release:

Driving Tips

If travel is necessary in subzero temperatures, officials urge commuters to watch for scattered slick spots likely forming on ramps, overpasses, bridges and shaded areas overnight.

The team at IDOT will be monitoring the roads, treating them as necessary, and assisting motorists as needed, Acting Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said. Please make sure to have the necessary supplies and equipment in your vehicle should you encounter problems, and do not leave your vehicle in the event of a breakdown. Call for help and wait for assistance to arrive.

Drivers should share the roadways, officials advised, as Illinois law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching police, first responders and broken-down vehicles.

In addition, a release said drivers should slow down when approaching snow plows and maintenance vehicles, giving workers more room to operate.

Things to Keep in Your Car

All vehicles should have an emergency kit equipped with the following items in case an individual becomes stranded, according to Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau:

The Illinois Tollway also recommends keeping gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and aflashlight with fresh batteries in your car.

Other travel advice from the Illinois Tollway includes:

For up to date road conditions, clickhere.

Ways to Save Money During the Colder Months

Little changes can add up to big savings with these weatherization tips, Nicor Gas recommends:

How Can I Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning When Heating My Home?

Properly heating the home during excessively cold temperatures is necessary during winter months, officials warned.

According to a release, more than 400 people die every year in the U.S. from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, which is found in fuels from cars, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges or furnaces.

Here are some tips to avoid CO buildup:

According to Nicor Gas, checking that outdoor vent openings and air intakes are not obstructed by snow and ice can help "ensure the safe, proper operation of natural gas appliances, such as a furnace or water heater," which can prevent the potentially hazardous buildup of carbon monoxide within a home or business.

Signs of CO poisoning include: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion, a release said.

Things to Remember When Removing Snow or Ice

Nicor Gas urged customers to "exercise caution removing snow or ice from your natural gas meter assembly."

Tips include:

Space Heater Safety

Peoples Gas recommends those who must use a space heed the following advice:

Preparing Your Home in Case of a Power Outage

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes recommends taking the following steps to prepare for a power outage during cold weather:

What Should I Do If the Power Goes Out?

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes also recommends:

Things to Know About Generators

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes says:

What to Do After a Power Outage

According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, you should follow the below tips once your power is restored:

Cook County Animal and Rabies Control offered the following tips for pet owners:

What about feral or wild animals?

What if you see mistreatment?

While laws in some municipalities may require only that pet owners provide food, water and a shelter, an outside dog house may not be suitable during severe cold weather. All residents are urged to be alert to pets being left outside for extended periods and to call authorities if they see an animal that could be in danger.

According to data from the state, 46% of individuals rely on people in their neighborhood for assistance within the first 72 hours of an emergency.

State officials advised people to check in with neighbors over the weekend either asking for or offering help.

There are dangerous health conditions that can occur specifically in severe winter weather, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said. Its important to watch for signs of extreme cold. Knowing the warning signs of dangerously cold weather and the health conditions they can cause can help you stay safe and healthy.

Here's a list of warming centers across Chicago.

To find a warming center near you in Illinois, click here.

Calling 311:

Read the original here:
Dangerous Cold in the Chicago Area: The Advice and Tips You Should Know About - NBC Chicago

Published 02-08-21

Submitted by Tetra Tech

High Performance Buildings

Brian Goldcrump has more than 10 years of experience in building design and energy modeling and leads the Tetra Tech High Performance Building Groups building energy modeling teams in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington. Brian works with clients in the early design phases to understand and advise on energy system options and the best paths for each project. He is particularly interested in post-occupancy building performance, helping owners understand that performance, and ensuring the building is performing as expected. He has helped the Tetra Tech building energy group evolve over time to support Tetra Tech as a leader in the industry.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University,San Luis Obispo. He is a certified LEED Accredited Professional, a member of the International Living Future Institute, and is a sustainability mentor at Portland State University in Oregon.

What is the impact of electrification on decarbonizing a building?

Building electrification is removing natural gas from our building designs, which contributes to decarbonizing a building. In a typical building, we have gas as the heating source, so either a gas boiler, a gas-powered HVAC unit with a furnace in it, or we have gas as the domestic water heater. Electrification is switching those gas heating sources to electric sources. We can make this change because the electrical grid that is powering our buildings is becoming cleaner. Many statesincluding all three states on the U.S. West Coastnow require utilities to improve their renewable portfolio of sources that produce their power. Washington and California are requiring utilities to use 100 percent renewable power by 2045. Since the power grid is decarbonizing by removing our natural gas emissions, our buildings will eventually be zero emission buildings once they are electrified.

Does decarbonizing buildings depend on state regulations, or is it feasible in other jurisdictions or states?

The key driver behind this movement is the decarbonization of the electric power grid at the state policy level. There are 31 U.S. states that have similar requirementssimilar policy shifts are happening globally, such as the recentchanges of approachin the Australian provinces of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. At the same time, renewables are becoming cheaper. For example, the last remaining coal power plant in Oregon was recently shut down, 20 years ahead of schedule. Thats because it's currently cheaper to install renewable plants than to run an old coal plant.

There was an inflection point in 2019 in which wind power was cheaper than natural gas in California. So, the economics in the policy are playing off each other in a very symbiotic way, creating a market where renewables are becoming cheaper on the utility scale. So, to answer the question, a whole host of factors contribute to it in addition to state policy, including governments significant financial contribution to research in this area.

Is decarbonization a process that's only limited to new buildings, or is it something that we can use to lower operational carbon in existing buildings?

It is not limited to new builds. There is a ton of discussion, particularly at the university level, about decarbonizing campuses by changing the central plant. Most universities have centralized steam systems that run on natural gas that distribute steam throughout the campus. Manycampuses, including almost all the major ones on the West Coast, are looking at what they can do about their existing steam systems or their existing natural gas systems. We just did a study with the California State University system to provide a roadmap for decarbonizing all their existing buildings.

It is possible for existing buildings as well. It requires a thorough feasibility study upfront, however, to determine the best way towards electrification.

Why is there so much interest at the university level?

Many universities have some form of climate action plan. Most of those climate action plans have a carbon neutrality pledge, such as being carbon neutral by 2030. When they look at where most of their emissions come from as a campus, they find that a lot comes from gas burning on-site.

They're also looking at lower lifecycle costs for these systemsparticularly with steam. A lot of the steam systems are old and have a lot of maintenance issues. Switching to an electrified hot water system makes more sense in the long term from a lifecycle perspective.

We are seeing it discussed more at the primary and secondary education level as well. Beyond the education market, many private commercial companies, including all the large tech companies, have a similar carbon neutrality pledge. Most of them are looking at electrification to reduce or eliminate their carbon emissions.

Does this represent a paradigm shift in how the building industry defines sustainability?

I think that's right. The design industry has been thinking about it from a more holistic emission standpoint for a long time, but these state laws and utility changes are driving broader action.

For example, in Portland, Oregon, the power source is relatively dirty and has a lot of coal. Until recently, from an emission standpoint, natural gas heating made more sense. With Portland General Electric closing their last coal plant, and Pacific Power in Oregon getting a lot more renewables installed, it's now starting to make more sense to remove gas and just look at electric as these grids evolve.

Seattle, on the other hand, is almost entirely driven by hydroelectric power, which has zero emissions. Seattle has electrification in its city code, and they provide a slight incentive for electrified systems. Electrification makes sense for our clients thereand as other grids evolve, it will start spreading to other cities as well.

What is the impact of electrification on decarbonization?

It depends, but its generally a very positive impact. We create interactive dashboards using energy modeling and predictive analytics to look at how different building systems function within different power grids and show emissions impacts under various conditions. This helps inform our clients decision-making, guiding them towards more sustainable and cost-effective options.

Looking at this tool, you can see if you are on Oregons Pacific Power, which is 63 percent coal, your emissions are lower for an electrified four-pipe system than a variable air volume system, which would use gas.

But if you're on Seattle City Light, your emissions are already almost zero, because of their reliance on hydroelectric power.

So, for this example building on Pacific Power, electrification is a massive, immediate impact because the power grid is so dirty right now, especially when compared to Seattle. But over the long term, you're saving 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. It is a big impact.

Does electrification make sense for private owners, such as those looking to build a mixed-use development or a stadium?

None of this is newits just a different way of thinking about the building. Heat pump technology has been around forever. We've been using it in our homes for a long time. And as grids become cleaner and there's a larger push towards electrification, the prices are coming down and the technology is improving.

So, it's similar to when variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems were introduced to the country more than 20 years ago: It was expensive and was not understood very well. But 10 years later, we essentially consider VRF to be our entry level into electrification. It's a simple and cost-effective method, and our primary task is communicating to building owners about what it means.

Building owners are becoming more aware of the risks inherent in having gas on-site. Combustion on-site damages your air quality. In the wake of a global pandemic that has major impacts on our lungs, having better air quality on-site is a huge deal. I think owners are becoming much more aware of those issues, and it's becoming more of a selling point for electrification.

What international developments can we expect to see having impacts in the United States in the next 5 to 15 years?

I think the big one is heat pump and heat pump chiller and heat recovery chiller technology, which are already here and just starting off slowly. It's our preferred system for electrification and is starting to see some deeper penetration into the market as the technology improves and prices come down. It's the next wave of systems that we think will be a big driver towards electrification for the right application. It's really on us as engineers to educate owners, clients, facilities, and partners.

The other one that we would love to see more of is ground source technology. That's also not new, but it's currently expensive to drill. We've been working on ground source projects for years, most recently at theBroadway Office Development in San Antonio, and they have a ton of benefits besides just emissions. Building owners love ground source systemsbecause they're very low maintenance, super durable, and very resilient. It's the drilling cost that really killed a lot of those projects upfront. As demand grows, cost should come down as well.

See the article here:
Tetra Tech's Brian Goldcrump Discusses the Impact of Building System Electrification on Lowering the Carbon Footprint of New and Existing Buildings -...

Rooftop or on-site solar can often generate enough power for homes, businesses, and industry, helping customers become resilient and self-sufficient, and giving them a stable price for clean electricity for decades to come. If youre in the market for solar, though, one thing needs to be top of mind: the price you pay for your solar is based on your consumption, so if you can reduce your consumption first, you can get an even better financial investment out of your solar.

There are a ton of variables, of course, but suffice it to say, the savings are real. Ill use my house as a case study. I set the baseline for energy consumption for several months before doing an energy efficiency retrofit. Turns out our home was using 1600 kWh per month. I called a local solar company and got a bid:

The solar company matched our existing bill to what would be needed to zero out said bill. This price is the out the door price, and the sticker shock usually cripples people, so solar companies usually offer $0 down financing, and just do a monthly payment slightly less than the original electric bill, to make it easy for customers.

I started with the easy stuff switching to LEDs, high efficiency faucets and showers, and a couple of advanced power strips and timers. I hung a couple of clotheslines and showed my housemates how to use them. This cost approximately $600.

Then I looked at two of the three refrigerators we had (its a triplex), and determined that they could be serious energy hogs, so I found one Energy Star fridge at a secondhand store and one from Lowes, with rebates from our local utility, and this came out to a grand total of a $700 investment to upgrade two fridges.

We then watched what happened to our bill, and the results were immediate, dropping down to 1000 kWh per month for a couple of months, a 35% reduction. This is not what I would expect to be normal. First, our house really committed to the clotheslines, and we eventually got rid of our dryer to make space in our cramped, shared laundry room. Next, we do not have central AC or heat, so the efficiency work described above made a larger percentage improvement than it would in many homes with central HVAC. HVAC, dryer, and refrigerators tend to be some of the biggest energy users in the house. Regardless, a drop of 15-20% for the above improvements would be pretty typical, I would imagine.

Now I went back and got a bid based on the new usage. The hardware dramatically changed, reducing the need for panels and batteries in order to get me to a zeroed out electric bill. From 35 panels to 23, and from 3 Tesla Powerwalls to 1.

This dramatically cut the proposed cost:

After installation, it became clear that I should have still opted for at least a second Powerwall, as my battery died most nights at about 4 AM, and then we paid full price per kWh from 4 til 9 AM, so we didnt zero out the bill entirely in the winter months. But for the year after solar install, we had zero bill for 8-9 months, and after upgrading to a solar water heater, the bill went to zero for the whole year on just the one battery.

A lot of caveats, a sample size of one, and variables galore I get it. But the results speak pretty loudly. With a thousand or so bucks worth of investment in home efficiency, it cut the net (after incentives) cost of my solar by more than $20,000, and more than 50%.

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy posted an article about efficiency being the jelly to solars peanut butter. They both work on their own, but together theyre magic. ACEEEs analysis found that energy efficiency combined with solar changed the equation dramatically. Without doing the efficiency, solar was able to generate 50% of the residential energy load in only 9 of 24 states they analyzed. With efficiency, that number jumped to 23 of 24, and six of the states surpassed 75% with the combo.

The authors concluded,Energy efficiency will generally be less expensive per kWh than solar. And by lowering consumption, energy efficiency will stretch the available rooftop solar resource farther, allowing solar to serve a higher percent of residential consumption while also allowing a smaller and less expensive solar system.

That, and it will save the building owners some serious bank on their solar systems. The difference for me was roughly 2/3 the cost of a new Tesla Model 3.

More here:
Energy Efficiency Before Going Solar: How Much Difference In The Cost Does It Make? - CleanTechnica

Marion County Sheriff's Office. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

A Salem father, his daughter and two pets were found dead at home on Feb. 1 from what Marion County Sheriffs Office detectives believe was monoxide poisoning.

A 911 caller reported finding Richard Yaple, 50, and Hannah Yaple, 17, of Keizer, not breathing inside the fifth wheel trailer in the 5700 block of State Street on Monday morning after not hearing from them since Saturday, the Marion County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

Due to the suspicious nature of the deaths, detectives from the Marion County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigations Unit were called to the scene.Detectives believe the two deaths were the result of carbon monoxide poisoning from a propane heater being used inside the trailer, the release said.

Sheriffs deputies and Marion County Fire District No. 1 firefighters pronounced them dead at the scene. A dog and cat were also found dead inside, according to the release.

The sheriffs office advises people to carefully read manufacturers instructions before using an indoor space heater and to install carbon monoxide detectors inside homes.

Each year about 430 people die accidentally from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

-Saphara Harrell

Read more:
UPDATES: Extended unemployment benefits will be cut, but the state will extend another lifeline to those out of work - Salem Reporter

This is the second post in a two-part series about heat pump waters heaters. The first post is here.

What does a heat pump water heat cost and will you break even? The answer is: It costs a lot and you may not break even, but you wont lose your shirt either. If you want to reduce your homes emissions, it will be the right choice for many of you. You can also increase the odds of breaking even with some effort. Read on for the deets.

What does a heat pump water heat cost?

Heat pump water heater installations have been running around $4500 installed, though prices are coming down. The median of the installations recorded with Silicon Valley Clean Energy in 2019 was $4877 and in 2020 was $4231. There is a lot of price variation, so it pays to shop around. For the purposes of this post, I will use a price of $4000, though with some effort you can get one installed today for $3500 or even less. (1)

Costs of 123 heat pump water heater installations over the last 18 months, as recorded by Silicon Valley Clean Energy. Installations to the right of the green line included an electrical panel upgrade. Older installations are shown to the left of each section.

The variation in prices does not seem to be related to tank size or type. If you arrange the installations by tank size, you will see there is little correlation.

Cost does not seem related to tank size

The majority of the cost is for installation. Retail prices of the water heaters are shown below, though contractors typically get a sizable discount.

Heat pump water heater costs filed with Silicon Valley Clean Energy over the period 2019-2020

You can see that a panel upgrade costs an additional $3500 or so. Since that upgrade can often be avoided, or it may be part of a larger project, this blog post will focus on installations without one. (2)

How does the cost compare with that of a gas tank water heater?

For the $4000 it costs to install a heat pump water heater, you could install three gas tank water heaters or two tankless. To encourage adoption until costs come down, local power providers are offering substantial financial incentives to replace gas water heaters with heat pump water heaters. Peninsula Clean Energy is partnering with the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) on a $2500 rebate (you must use a BayREN-approved contractor). Silicon Valley Clean Energy is offering $2000. And the City of Palo Alto is offering $1200 (or $1500 if you have room for an 80-gallon tank). (3)

Will a buyer break even?

The rebates are big, but often not enough to cover the gap between the heat pump water heater (say $4000) and the gas-fired one (say $1200). You will still be running a deficit of about $300 if you use Peninsula Clean Energy, $800 if you use Silicon Valley Clean Energy, or $1500 if you live in Palo Alto. You might be wondering if the savings on your gas bill will make up for that. Unfortunately, the savings are not as big as you might hope. The heat pump uses only one-sixth the energy of the gas heater, but electricity is expensive, 4-5 times more than gas (per unit of energy). In a typical water heater retrofit, energy costs will go down by only $40/year or so. (4) Over the ten-year life of the water heater, you will break even with the Peninsula Clean Energy rebate, but otherwise, at todays energy prices, you will be short $400-$1200. (5)

A comprehensive analysis from energy consulting firm E3 confirms this deficit. While many clean energy conversions are financially beneficial, even without rebates, heat pump water heater retrofits in our area generally are not.

Heat pump water heater retrofit costs, analyzed without rebates and using todays energy prices, are not economical when compared with their gas (tank) counterpart. Tankless water heater replacements compare more favorably. Source: E3, 2019.

Should you get one anyway?

For many of you looking to reduce your emissions, the additional $400-$1200 expense of the heat pump water heater is worth it. Your homes emissions go down by 30%, you remove unhealthy and dangerous gas from your garage or utility closet, you eliminate a source of smog (6), and it all works invisibly once the heater is installed.

You may also be anticipating that energy prices will evolve in a way that discourages adoption of gas appliances. The price on carbon may increase or, even without that, the gradual movement away from gas appliances will increase gas prices. By converting now you will stay ahead of the curve.

You might also consider the cost of the carbon dioxide you would be emitting by burning gas for your hot water. A gas tank water heater emits about 11 tonnes of carbon over its lifetime. To remove that amount of carbon and store it underground would cost around $12,000 today (using Climeworks). The heat pump water heater is a bargain! Or you might consider that many economists believe our emissions should be taxed at $50-$100/tonne, which lines up pretty well with the differential cost. Finally, you might take into account that green upgrades like this can increase the value of your home. This study in Nature Energy concluded that homes that have a heat pump for space heating enjoy a $10,000 or so premium in sales price by appealing to environmentally conscious buyers.

For all these reasons, many of you will decide that a heat pump water heater makes sense.

You can also make an effort to get one for $3500 or less. Some tips include:

- Shop around. Reach out to a number of installers. Check your local power provider, SwitchIsOn, and BayREN for possibilities, or the installation history from Silicon Valley Clean Energy.

- Facilitate the bids. Share with the candidates (a) a photo of your current tank, especially the top half so they can see the connections; (b) a photo of the larger area where it is installed, so they can determine how to drain the condensate; and (c) a photo of the inside of your electric panel, so they can assess capacity.

- Choose 15 amps. Opt for the 15-amp model to reduce demand on your panel (and make sure the installer is aware of your choice).

- Help out. Offer to buy your own heater and/or pull the permit on your own. That may save you some cost.

- Plan ahead. Consider getting any electrical work done in advance so the plumber can save time.

Another option is to wait for 120-volt models to come out. I am told that Rheem will be making two models available in April. These should simplify installation and reduce costs in exchange for some performance compromises. I dont have much information on these yet, but hope to soon.

If not now, when?

When will heat pump water heaters reach cost parity without rebates? I am doubtful that will happen soon. The product and installation costs will have to come way down. One installer mentioned that permitting alone can contribute up to $1000 of the cost. In Palo Alto, a contractor might charge $150 to pull the permit, then the City charges $300 for the permit itself. The contractor might bill another $300-$500 to wait for and meet with the inspector. If our building departments streamline and discount this process, that will help. As installers gain experience (and competition) their time and labor costs for installation will continue to come down. Costs of the heaters should come down as well. But all of this takes a while, and once the installed cost has plummeted from $4000 to (say) $2200, the rebate will probably have gone away, leaving a $1000 gap. Energy prices have to change as well.

If electricity were free, the heat pump water heaters would be an easy win since you would save $200-$300 every year on energy bills. Thats not as far-fetched as it sounds. In Texas, there are many plans that offer free electricity at night. You could heat up your water at night for free, maybe to 130 instead of 120, then use it throughout the day, with a particularly hot shower in the morning. Nice!

Unfortunately, California has expensive electricity with relatively anemic time-of-use differentials. The map below shows how Californias electricity prices rank with the rest of the country.

California ranks 45 out of 50 in electricity prices, behind HI, AK, CT, RI, and MA. (Shade indicates rank.) Source: Choose Energy, 2021.

The E3 analysis mentioned above assessed whether scheduling the water heaters to run at low time-of-use rates would help. In practice it made little difference because the pricing differentials are small. (PG&E rates are shown in the left section, using a model based on the climate of Santa Clara County.)

Scheduling your water heater to avoid peak rates has little impact on bill savings. (This comparison is between a heat pump and a tankless gas water heater.) Source: E3, 2019.

It may be difficult for power providers to drop electricity rates much, given the work needed in California to harden the grid from fires and build in resiliency. Christine Tam, a Senior Resource Planner for the City of Palo Alto Utilities, mentioned that transmission costs went up 15% in just the last year alone. If electricity rates do drop a modest amount, we will still need the price of gas to go up to make the heat pump water heater the cheaper option. For example, if electricity prices drop by 15% and gas prices go up by 15%, then the customer saves at least $100 each year with the heat pump water heater and the switch makes sense. An easier approach may be for California power providers to develop more aggressive time-of-use rates ala Texas.

Some types of electrification retrofits are clear financial wins in the Bay Area, like space heating combined with air conditioning. Its tougher to make the case for heat on its own, whether space heating or water heating. Our climate is mild and getting milder, so we dont use enough heat to justify efficient but costly appliances. Policy and pricing need to come together to wean us off of fossil fuels. The rebates are a big help, and the Building Decarbonization Coalition has other great ideas.

I find it particularly hard to reconcile Californias clear desire to electrify its buildings with the fact that our power providers charge some of the highest electricity rates in the country. Stay tuned next week to learn more about why Californias rates are so high and what might be done about it.

In the meantime, those of you interested in reducing your home emissions by almost one-third can take advantage of aggressive rebates today and a growing list of certified installers to get a right-priced installation with a little bit of planning. This is a one-and-done deal, taking no effort once the change is made. Imagine how nice it would be to take a hot shower without heating the planet at the same time!

Notes and References

0. I want to thank Menlo Park Environmental Quality Commissioners Josie Gaillard and Tom Kabat for their contributions to this blog post. Gaillard and Kabat spend a good deal of time working to understand and improve the economics of electrification, and I particularly appreciated their perspectives on this post and the many tips they shared for lowering costs.

1. Silicon Valley Clean Energy collects information about installers. From their records, Air & Plumbing Systems in Los Gatos, which does its own electrical work, has prices right around the median and has done many installs. The other big installer, EJ Plumbing, has higher prices (median $5208), possibly because it does not do the electrical work in-house. I am told that there are plumbers who, if you order the tank and file for the permit yourself, will do the work for around $2000, for a total expense of around $3500.

2. In Silicon Valley Clean Energys data set, 39 out of the 123 installations, or 32%, did a panel upgrade. Many could likely have done without. It is important to remember to get a 15-amp model rather than 30-amp. If needed, consider sharing a 240v circuit with a splitter like this.

3. These rebates only apply when you are replacing a gas fired water heater. There are rebates to replace an electric resistance water heater, but they are much smaller. Both Peninsula Clean Energy and Silicon Valley Clean Energy are also offering partial rebates for panel upgrades if they are needed.

4. Here is the math for that, in case you want to plug in your own numbers. Lets say your annual gas use is 600 therms, which is about average for our area. Maybe 30% of that, or 180 therms, is used to heat water. In Palo Alto that might cost $216 (at $1.20/therm, assuming costs are split across the two tiers), while with PG&E that might cost $306 (at $1.70/therm, again assuming costs are split).

What will it cost with a heat pump water heater? Electricity is more expensive (a $0.25/kWh rate is equivalent to a $8.80/therm price). But electric heat pumps are much more efficient. A gas water heater that burns 180 therms of gas will waste about 40% of that energy, effectively heating the water with only 108 therms. On the other hand, an electric heat pump that needs to generate 108 therms of energy to heat water will consume only 30 therms (880 kWh) from the wall, getting the rest of the heat from the surrounding air. (This assumes a modern heat pump with UEF 3.55.)

In Palo Alto those 880 kWh might cost about $167 (at $0.19/kWh in Tier 2), while with PCE and SVCE that 880 kWh might cost about $264 (at $0.30/kWh in Tier 2). In either case, the savings is only about $40/year.

You can plug in your own rates to see how much cheaper your electric cost will be. Take your electricity rate (in kWh) divided by your gas rate (in therms), and multiply by 4.95. For example, if your electricity rate is $0.22/kWh and your gas rate is $1.30/therm, then the result is 4.95 * $0.22 / $1.30 = 0.84 or 84%. You will save 16% on the amount you pay today for hot water. (If your use is well into the second tier of pricing, then use that price, otherwise use the first tier or a mix.)

You may also want to keep in mind that gas prices are likely to go up over the coming decade, likely increasing the savings on your energy bills if you switch to electric.

5. Those of you with your own solar power, with large hot water demands, or with a particularly well maintained and long-lasting tank will fare somewhat better.

6. Panama Bartholomy of the Building Decarbonization Coalition estimates that buildings in California produce more smog than cars, and about seven times more smog than power plants.

Current Climate Data (December 2020)Global impacts, US impacts, CO2 metric, Climate dashboard (updated annually)

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Will you save money with a heat pump water heater? - Mountain View Voice

Kitchen taps are used several times during the day by both adults and kids in the house. From washing hands, utensils, fresh produce to raw ingredients and more, water supply is a necessity in the kitchen. To add more comfort and convenience, you can opt for tap water heaters that will instantly provide hot water and eliminate the task of heating water on the stove. Tap geysers are also a space-saving tool in the kitchen as you need not install a hefty geyser for access to hot water. In parts where colder temperatures get freezing, these tap geysers will be a saviour for all kinds of kitchen tasks. Check out our picks below: Access water within the temperature range of about 30 degrees to 55 degrees with this tap water heater. This heater has 360 degrees rotation and will be very convenient to use and install. The heater is also has a LED display to display temperature. The shell material of this heater is ABS plastic and the valve material is ceramic. The power cord length of the heater is 1.2 metre.'; var randomNumber = Math.random(); var isIndia = (window.geoinfo && window.geoinfo.CountryCode === 'IN') && (window.location.href.indexOf('outsideindia') === -1 ); //console.log(isIndia && randomNumber This compact and sturdy tap heater will provide you with heated water within a few seconds, unlike conventional heaters that require time to heat up. The shell material of the tap is made from plastic and the heating element is made from stainless steel. This tap water heater will give a lasting performance with its temperature resistant, strong and body that has anti-stamping qualities. The tap heater will provide about 30 degrees to 40 degrees water in colder temperatures. The heater has a built-in high sensitivity sensor probe, which will provide real-time detection of temperature and display the current temperature. This tap water heater is built with highly sensitive built-in leakage protection and anti-dry design to ensure safety. The ABS plastic and stainless steel construction of the unit is shockproof and can be used safely by anyone. The heating tube of the heater is made from stainless steel.DISCLAIMER: The Times of India's journalists were not involved in the production of this article.

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Get temperature-controlled water with tap water heaters for kitchen taps - Times of India

The beginning of astronomical winter arrived more than a month ago, but it took until this week for the real, prolonged, bitter cold to put a freeze on Hampton Roads.

With highs near freezing, wind chill below freezing and two inches of snow this week, its a safe bet many folks were putting on layers, turning up the thermostats, stoking the fires, and maybe even pulling out the space heaters. People with fewer resources may also have turned to less conventional, and more dangerous, methods of heating their living space.

Unfortunately, home heating is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries (after unattended cooking), and the third leading cause of home fire deaths. Fire departments respond to nearly 50,000 fires every year across the United States involving heating equipment.

The National Fire Prevention Association has this list of safety tips to help avoid fires caused by heating equipment:

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Stay safe in cold weather - The Suffolk News-Herald - Suffolk News-Herald

(WWLP)- The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services is reminding residents of ways to safely keep their homes warm this winter and how to prevent house fires.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, heating has caused 6,692 fires over the past five years and is the number two cause of home fires in Massachusetts.

Residents are encouraged to use their home heating system and space heating appliances wisely and responsibly. The following tips were provided by the Department of Fire Services:

The ABCs of fire safety

Be careful when using fireplaces and solid fuel stoves

If you heat your home by burning solid fuels (coal, firewood, pellets), be careful before, during, and after using these kinds of fuels.

Space heaters need space

Fires caused by space heaters are rare but often deadly. If you must use a space heater, doso safely.

Maintain Natural Gas Equipment

Natural gas is a safe and efficient way to cook and heat our homes and hot water.

Gas leaks can be dangerous if you smell something like rotten eggs or you think there might be a leak:

Maintain Oil Heating Equipment

Home heating with fuel oil is also safe and efficient.

Carbon Monoxide: The silent killer

Heating equipment is the leading source of carbon monoxide in the home.

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Tips on how to keep warm and keep safe during cold weather - WWLP.com

First off, calm down. That price you see for the Aquasana Whole House 10-Year Water Conditioning System is all that youll pay for equipment, filter media, or installation hardwarefor ten years. Thats right: no changing out media and nothing to replacefor ten years (you may have to spring for pipe and fittings for your existing system).

Now, do you understand? Good, because this water conditioner is awesome and theres more to tell you.

The Aquasana filtration system pumps out healthy, clean water from everywhere in your house. 97% of the chlorine from regular tap water is removed along with all sorts of other toxic substances such as pesticides, rust, silt, metals (!), solvents, and more. Plus, the system doesnt use any chemicals or salt to make it all work.

The system is designed to hook right into your existing water supply system in one go. Say goodbye to scale, sediment, and more coming out of your taps and spigots. This water conditioner features a sediment pre-filter, a salt-free water conditioner, activated carbon filter, and a post filter to make sure all the water in your house looks clear and tastes great.

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11 Best Water Conditioners for Your Home (2021) - Heavy.com