| Installing
GE Heat pump |
 This
installation does NOT have enough space on left
side to inspect
and replace anode rod
Read
about GE heat pump anode
Homes with anode-related odor problems should avoid GE
heat pump.
State heat pump has power anode rod, that will prevent
odor problems.
Larger image
Must be full of water before applying power
Must have 208-240Volts
How 240V and 208V power comes from 3-phase
electric
|
3/4"
Hot and cold pipes must be connected to Hot and Cold
sides,
or water heater will not work as expected.
See
product manuals
Location
& Space requirement Clearance specifications
Do NOT choose laundry room or beauty shop or craft-work
area because
trace chemicals and dust WILL damage heat pump. Chemicals can
damage heat pump and damage any gas water heater parts, and
damage any gas appliance. Read Dust will clog Heat
Pump sir filter more frequently.
Choose dry, clean and naturally warm location
Air flow is critical: Efficiency is reduced if incoming
air flow is
restricted.
Room size minimum 10' x 10' x 8'
Smaller room can be used when louvered door is added.
Minimum 7" service clearance from back wall and 7" from
front wall for
work access and air space
pre-2012 Minimum 14" headroom for removal/cleaning air
filter/ overall
clearance height needed 75"
(Redesigned heat pump 2012 requires 6" instead of 14"
for air filter)
Drain
valve: Leave space so garden hose can be attached to drain
valve
Older models, drain valve on back of unit and only 2-1/2" above floor.
Newer model, drain on front.
GE
Heat pump Anode rod is sacrificial, and is located on left
side of tank see
anode. Work space must be available on left side of water
heater to access anode using socket wrench and long cheater bar.
Product manuals say anode will last 10 years. But water
softeners can
shorten life of anode rod. Read about anodes
Homes with anode-relate odor problems can avoid GE heat
pump, and buy
State heat pump with power anode rod that does not cause odor reaction
.
Wiring:
Dedicated 10 gauge wire and 30 amp breaker. USE whole house surge
protector to protect all appliances.
Use proper grounding. Use conduit if required by local
code.
240Volt only: Connecting to 120V AC may damage
compressor and/or other
electrical components.
Read spec sheet to see if your model can use 208 VAC
service. Other
brands cannot be connected to 208V.
TP
overflow tube cannot be downsized into smaller pipe, tube
must travel downward at all times, and cannot terminate closer than 6"
above drain or pool of water, maximum 30 feet length, maximum 4 elbow
joints, overflow can be directed through outside wall, end of overflow
tube cannot be threaded. 2009-2011 TP valve located on backside of
tank. 2012 TP valve has been re-located to front of water heater.
TP and condensate drain cannot be combined
Condensate
line attaches on back of unit or side of unit depending on
model, and is not shown in illustration.
6' condensate line supplied with unit. Must run downward
into drain or
bucket.
Heat pump can produce up to 1 gallon condensate per day,
depending on
location, humidity etc
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Locating
heat pump in naturally warm location is best plan
1) Same
room as Freezer or refrigerator: For example refrigerators
and freezers give off warm air.
This warm air can be used by heat pump to heat water.
In return, the heat pump gives off cool air that assists
efficiency of
refrigeration unit.
This type installation does not work against household
HVAC
2) Warm
garage in Florida: Locating heat pump water heater in
unheated-uncooled garage in
Florida will not work against HVAC unit.
Heat
pump uses ambient Florida temperature to assist heat pump
efficiency, and releases cool air to help moderate garage temperatures.
|
 Heat
pump will put
out more cool air than refrigerator puts out warm
air.
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Use
warm air inside home
Note that heat pump
water heater will run much more than typical
refrigerator. And heat pump will put out more cool air than
refrigerator puts out warm
air.
GE heat pump draws ambient room air across evaporator
and blows cold
air from vent located on back of unit
This action works against furnace in cold climates, and
means furnace
is heating hot water.
The heat pump condenser unit works in reverse of typical
refrigerator.
Heat pump blows cold air. Refrigerator blows warm air
Using
warm air from refrigerator and freezer in conjunction with heat pump
water heater is good way to recycle air byproduct from each appliance
Water heater uses refrigerator heat
Low-energy home uses heat pump integrated
with heat from kitchen refrigerator pg9
|
 Heat
pump in attic
Ambient room temperatures
up to 120°F degrees are acceptable, but exposure to direct sun and high
temperatures over 109°F will shorten life of
compressor and wiring.
Compressor will generally be too hot to touch, but
very hot
temperatures will damage any electrical device.
Many
water heaters in Texas, Fla etc are located in attic. Heat pump needs
space for air filter and anode rod, plus condensate drain.
Always protect water heater from freezing, and
flood.
Water
heater must be installed in Vertical position. If water heater was
laying down, then stand water heater upright position for 12-24 hours
to allow
refrigerant and lubricating oils to to properly distribute themselves.
Unit weight 200 lbs, Total weight 470 lbs filled
with water. Locate
water heater over load-bearing wall.
Use 3/4" plywood over 16" OC joist. Use minimum
2x8 joist.
Heavy weight in middle of 2x6 and 2x8 joist will
cause ceiling to sag
over time if joist
span is too long.
How to lift heavy water heater into attic
|
 Estimated: heat pump
regional map 2012
Obviously mid-Illinois is not same regional temperature
as South Texas
Larger image
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Cold
temperatures mean less efficiency
Heat pump water heaters are most useful in hot-or-warm
climates.
In cold climates, heat pump efficiency drops when
back-up heat elements
are used to heat water
During winter, the furnace is heating the air that heat
pump uses to
heat water.
So
you are heating water using the furnace, which is not efficient, and
cancels estimated savings predicted by GE and other heat pump
companies.
Ambient
air temperature must be above 45°F If ambient
air temperature falls below the limit, then
electrical elements will activate to meet the hot water demand. This
reduces expected savings.
Attic/
High heat: avoid exposing water heater to temperatures
over 120 degrees F
|
 Drip pan saves damage
See drip pan installation
Water
heater drip pans at Amazon
Drip pan saves damage from water leaks
|
Install
GE Heat pump water heater in drip pan to prevent water
damage from condensate or leak. Prevent leaking tank by checking and
replacing anode rod
see
GE heat pump anode
Make sure hose can still attach to water heater drain
valve.
Drain valve located on front or water heater 2012
See drip pan installation
Leaking water heater
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Installation
Notes:
Drain valve is only 2-1/2" from bottom of heater.
Can be difficult to attach hose
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Water heater must be installed in Vertical position
Ambient room temperature must not fall below 45 degrees F.
Remember: In winter, your furnace is being used to heat
the water
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Add expansion tank to extend service life of water
heater and plumbing fixtures
Add pressure reducing valve if water pressure exceeds 80
psi
Check pressure using BTG100 pressure gauge attached to
water heater
drain valve
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Flooring and weight
200 lbs + 5.4 lbs x 50 gallons = total weight 470 lbs =
about same as 3
people
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Water Temperature setting range 100 to 140 degrees F
Factory default 120 degrees
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Do
not duct air from a garage or other space where potentially harmful
fumes from solvents, chemicals or exhaust from automobiles are present.
Install Gas and carbon monoxide detector.
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Standby power consumption 2 watts.
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How to maintain typical water heaters
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Heat
pump makes noise
People are aware of the noise. Most people can
hear it from other room.
Some say it sounds like clothes dryer. Others
report less noise.
Do not buy heat pump if noise bothers you, or if
you expect to play
tunes
in same room.
At least the thing doesn't put off bad odor.
Promo
brochure says: Operating Sound Level 58 DBA Average
58 DBA is from glossy promotion brochure, and will likely underestimate
annoyance for some people.
Locate heater where noise will not interfere with
daily routine
Promo
brochure says:
"Most electrical appliances, even when new, make some sound when in
operation. If the hissing or singing sound level increases excessively,
the electric heating element may require cleaning." Remove element and
clean with white vinegar, but don't expect to see illustrated
instructions in product manual, and Do not count on this solution to
fix noise problem.
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\Must
be clean environment. Must be 7" away from wall for service
access.
Requires floor drain for condensate. 
The
older GE heat pump was available in 50 gallon and delivered
(optomistically) 63 gallons usable hot. More realistic is 40-45 gallons.
All
digitally-controlled water
heaters are susceptible to surge
... Most people don't think about repairing
washing machine or refrigerator before purchase, but the heat pump
water heater might require service personnel who know about water
heaters, computers,
air conditioning, plumbing, and electric systems. Before buying, ask if
there are qualified service technicians
in your area? How much do they charge??
In 2014, service calls
average
$400+
2009 and 2012 control panels
Choose operating mode, set water temperature using
eye-level keypad and
LCD readout
Use safety grab bar on bathtub
Flammable
and corrosive vapors
Electronics are not suited to wetness
Do NOT touch water heater that is wet or was wet/
electrocution danger.
How-to-clean-GE-heat-pump-air-filter.pdf
Lift
filter evenly with both hands
Illustration shows
concept GE heat pump has brass drain valve. Brass is preferred by
plumbers since it will not break when removed. Dripping drain valve can
be repaired with garden hose cap.
2012 Condensate lines
located on right side of tank
State heat pump has power anode rod for homes with
anode-related odor
problems
2012
parts: color added for illustration
State hybrid has non-sacrificial powered anode rod
