Going Electric for Heating and Cooling, and Water Heating, in a Residential Retrofit - #1920sMakeoverATL (Video)

Posted by: Rate It Green Team

Join Green Builder Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. for an exciting preview of the 1920sMakeoverATL deep energy retrofit project's heating and water heating systems.  

For the project, Matt will be converting these systems from gas to electric, installing a Mitsubishi ducted mini split system and a Rheem heat pump water heater.   

In this video, Matt takes a first look at two old (and ugly) key systems of the 1920sMakeverATL home.  Matt was going to run some tests on these systems, but since there was a family of critters living in them… this was not a great idea.  

Matt also shares the secret 7 P’s of Appliance Replacement…. 

Proper (Prior) Planning
Prevents
Piss Poor Performance  

Maybe you heard that here first.  Matt will likely revisit these key concepts in future videos - they’re fun stated this way, but really they’re critically important.  You can also read Rate It Green's article about key decision points in appliance replacement to learn why planning before equipment failure, renovation and even home purchase matter so much for our health, long term finances, and to reduce emissions and pollution.  Much of the time, we don’t get to think about appliance replacement ideally when we upgrade or replace, as systems break suddenly and perhaps where it’s an emergency.  Or decision makers just "go with what they had,” as the hook ups were already in place.  When we can be more ready to make great decisions, there are some super benefits.  

Matt shares interviews with Mitsubishi and Rheem so you can get a preview of these systems, and the improved safety, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits they offer.  Matt originally recommended eliminating gas in the home when possible for safety reasons alone.  He points out that unsealed gas systems in particular can allow exhaust from partial combustion back into the home and home systems when there is a negative pressure situation.  If you must use gas, it’s preferable to use a sealed system.  But switching to electric systems eliminates all of the risks associated with gas, including breathing partially combusted air.

In this video, we also get to think through older mechanical arrangements, which might be like this, basically, “hole in the basement,” compared to today’s standards of at least having a one hour fire safety rating, with drywall and a separate space with combustion air coming from the outside.  

Energy efficiency is going to be a key these throughout the project.  It’s exciting that Mitsubishi’s mini split ductless system will be 2 times as efficient as a typical heat pump, and way above the standard.  

Rheem's hybrid heat pump electric water heater is three times as efficient than a traditional electric water heater as it’s easier to collect heat out of the air and move it, than to create heat through traditional electric elements.  A typical water heater might cost a homeowner about $450 per year, where this water heater might cost approximately $110-120.  Additionally, the user can communicate and control this technology through their phone, adjusting for higher and lower demand times, and set alerts and notifications.  The systems can also be setoff peak energy pricing, to be in the most efficient mode when electricity rates are at their highest.   

Join us on this journey for a green home makeover, by following along with #1920sMakeoverATL!  Check out our project introduction, and stay tuned for more information.