Saving power, Nest or hybrid hot water header.

[CU]

I am getting solar panels installed and the company will give me either a nest thermostat or a hybrid GE hot water heater. The house is two years. Right now we have a normal electric hot water heater. Our current thermostat is a plain old 7 day programmable one. I am thinking, go for the new hybrid hot water heater, because I can not see nest saving that much over my 7 day programmable one. Any thoughts?

 

[K1052]

IIRC, the reviews for the GE hybrid water heaters are pretty terrible. Might want to check that out before deciding.

 

[CU]

4.5 stars with 1k reviews at Lowe's. Doesn't seem bad.

 

[mindless1]

The hot water heater will probably save more money unless your family lives an extremely erratic life to the point that HVAC schedules can't be predicted most of the time, but it's of less benefit to you that you can't wait until your present unit fails to have it installed, assuming they are covering installation or no?

The Nest on the other hand, would be easier to sell and ship to a buyer if you just want cash back instead of this promo.

 

[CU]

They will install it, but they will not wait to do it. Hate replacing one that is only two years old. But, I think that will save the most power. Maybe I can sale the old one locally. Plus I can buy and install a cool smart thermostat later myself if I want to.

 

[NutBucket]

What am I missing? Isn't the hybrid hot water heater way more expensive? A Nest is only $200.

 

[CU]

It wasn't about the price. It was about the power savings. Which after reading, the hybrid hot water heater will save more power.

 

[NutBucket]

I just meant it's an odd choice to offer given one item is significantly more expensive than the other.

 

[CU]

I guess they figure some may go for the nest because it is visable and looks cool. A hot water heater just doesn't give off that cool factor. Once I looked up the price I was shocked also.

 

[mindless1]

It could be that the water heater was formerly all they offered but now that GE has discontinued them, they had to come up with a substitute.

That brings up the issue of repair parts supplies too, not knowing how much the increased complexity will lower its lifespan, and whether acquiring one this way entitles the owner to the warranty. I'd think about keeping the old water heater in storage if you have the space and plan on living there longer than 5 years.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

What am I missing? Isn't the hybrid hot water heater way more expensive? A Nest is only $200.

This

 

[feralkid]

Stick with a water heater; you won't need to pay the redundancy tax for a hot water heater.