Consumers are being offered $1000 to install heat pump water heaters as part of a pilot scheme to assess their effectiveness.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has launched a new funding pilot for heat pump water heating which will test another choice of efficient water heating, chief executive Mike Underhill said.
"Heat pump water heaters are an established technology overseas which can provide another way for New Zealand homes and small businesses to reduce their energy costs."
Heat pump water heaters operate on the same principal as heat pumps; they use electricity to transfer heat from the outside air to the water in your tank, and, according to manufacturer's websites use one-third of the energy of a conventional electric water heater.
Consumers will get $1000 back for installing an eligible heat pump water heater in their home after today and, using meters provided by EECA, give them three separate monthly water and electricity meter readings.
"The pilot scheme will allow us to gather data so we can see how heat pump water heaters perform in a New Zealand situation, and the energy savings they are capable of generating."
Heat pump water heaters have an average price of $5000 and an installation cost of between $1000 and $1500, an EECA spokeswoman said.
The scheme is expected to run for about six months. For more information visit www.energywise.govt.nz
