Residential Heat Pump Water Heaters as a Climate Action Measures for Waterloo Region
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Waterloo Region
The Waterloo region and all associated municipalities have committed to reducing the community’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) by 80% below 2010 levels by 2050 [i]. For residential buildings (18% of emissions), most emissions come from the fossil fuels used for space and water heating.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are a proven technology that, when replacing conventional systems for domestic hot water use, can cut a home’s emissions by 6-11% [ii]. They are also an ideal retrofit for a turnkey delivery model. Furthermore, HPWHs have the potential to help utilities in their demand management strategies in at least three ways: by shifting demand through the day, by allowing load up and load shed, and by hourly optimization of demand.
HPWH systems operate somewhat differently than conventional water heaters and there are some additional factors to consider when installing HPWHs. It is important that installers and homeowners be aware of these factors but not turned away by them: good communication is key.
HPWH systems operate somewhat differently than conventional water heaters and there are some additional factors to consider when installing HPWHs. It is important that installers and homeowners be aware of these factors but not turned away by them: good communication is key.
Need to Make Heat Pump Water Heaters Economically Viable
Under current conditions, incentives of approximately $1000 would be required to make HPWHs economically appealing for most homeowners. There are many examples of rebate programs from across North America that offer rebates in this price range. Other communities have incentivized the adoptions of heat pump systems through bulk purchase or carbon offset programs.
An estimated 16,500 households replace their hot water heating system every year in the Waterloo region, and every household will replace their system about twice between now and 2050. This means that we need to develop programs now to help built trust in the technology, build the installation capacity, and grow the market share for HPWHs if our targets are to be met. Stabilizing our climate for future generations depends on it.
[i] ClimateActionWR. (2020). Retrieved from https://climateactionwr.ca/
[ii] McDiarmid, H. (2020). Analysis of the residential electrification potential for the Waterloo region.
An estimated 16,500 households replace their hot water heating system every year in the Waterloo region, and every household will replace their system about twice between now and 2050. This means that we need to develop programs now to help built trust in the technology, build the installation capacity, and grow the market share for HPWHs if our targets are to be met. Stabilizing our climate for future generations depends on it.
[i] ClimateActionWR. (2020). Retrieved from https://climateactionwr.ca/
[ii] McDiarmid, H. (2020). Analysis of the residential electrification potential for the Waterloo region.