GE Appliances is expanding its family of Energy Star-rated GeoSpring hybrid electric heat pump water heaters to include an 80-gal. unit that will exceed the U.S. Department of Energy’s new energy-efficiency standards for all electric water heaters larger than 55 gal. The new mandate, which takes effect April 2015, requires electric water heaters over 55 gal. to have an Energy Factor between 1.92 and 2.02. 

“The GeoSpring, both large and smaller capacity, saves homeowners an average of $365 a year in utility bills,” said Francois Lebrasseur, marketing manager for GE Water Products.

Energy savings are based on DOE test procedures and comparison of a 50-gal. standard electric tank water heater using 4879 kWh per year vs. the GE GeoSpring Hybrid Electric Water Heater using 1830 kWh per year, and national average electricity rate of 12 cents per kWh.

Production for the new 80-gal. model (GEH80DEEJSC) will begin in the fourth quarter of 2014 in Louisville, Ky., and will be available in January 2015. For local utility incentives and a Zip Code-enabled Rebate Finder, visit www.GeoSpring.com.

Other GeoSpring features are:
• Includes the same water and electrical connections as the standard electric water heater, making it easy to install.
• Provides the same amount of hot water as traditional 80-gal. standard electric water heaters.
• Offers exclusive features, such as vacation mode, which will lower the water temperature to 50° F for the duration of a trip, and then automatically reenergize itself the day before the homeowner’s return.
• Allows consumers to adjust the temperature setting in 1° increments from 100° to 140°.

You can read more about the water heater standards at http://tinyurl.com/WaterHeaterStandards.