Sandy Sussman, a long-time Princeton resident recently faced the decision to replace her aging hot water heater. With the help of her trusted contractor, Mike Brooks from Redding’s Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning, she took a path that not only benefited her family’s health and home but also educated a contractor on the growth of energy-efficient technologies.
Why the Replacement?
Sandy’s previous hot water heater was about ten years old, nearing the end of its expected lifespan. “We had the plumber out for a different reason and we asked him to look at it,” she recalls. “He saw a minor leak and, while there was no urgency, he thought that we would need a new one sooner than later.” Sandy took a proactive approach: “if something needs fixing, we like to take care of it right away and not be caught with a problem.”
Having worked with Redding’s for all her HVAC and plumbing needs over the past decade, she naturally turned to them for this upgrade. Mike initially proposed replacing the gas heater with another gas model. However, Sandy had been learning more about sustainable home upgrades, inspired in part by the Green House Tours she attended in September. Other friends in her community were also actively reducing emissions in their homes, and it got her thinking, “With all that our neighbor Forrest Meggers is doing, the least we could do is install a hot water heat pump.”
Rethinking the Traditional Approach
Mike was upfront about his initial reservations regarding the heat pump hot water heater. “With the heat pump version, it was a matter of how much more it would cost to install than a gas one.” While he wasn’t completely familiar with heat pump water heaters at first, he was willing to learn, especially since Sandy was a long-term customer. She shared, “We definitely want to go with an electric heat pump if possible, so Mike assured us that he would send a proposal for that option.”
While he was putting together the proposal, Sandy took it upon herself to research further. “I checked with a couple of contractor friends and they agreed that there is no reason not to make the switch to a heat pump water heater.” Sandy recalls, “We waited on Mike and he not only sent over the proposal for the heat pump hot water heater, but also offered a lengthy explanation of why we should absolutely make the switch.” After reviewing all the numbers and learning more, he sent over a detailed proposal showing how the switch would ultimately save money while also being the environmentally friendly choice. So Sandy’s push to install the hot water heat pump instead of the traditional gas system paid off! His proposal gave Sandy the confidence to move forward with installing the heat pump water heater.
Mike also ensured that Sandy got the best deal possible. “It was a little bit of a learning curve with all the incentives that are available,” he explains. “The tax incentives that are available, along with the utility rebate, they add up to really help cut down that cost difference from going from a gas hot water heater to an electric heat pump hot water heater.”
Making the Change and Looking Ahead
Sandy made the switch and installed the heat pump hot water heater. “The best thing I can say about the hot water heat pump is that I don’t notice it,” she says. “While it is ‘just’ a hot water heater, I feel better knowing we have one fewer gas connection that is better for us and the environment. When I get under the hot shower, I appreciate that this is a greener hot shower than I’d had before.”
Mike shares his perspective, “With what’s coming down the road with getting away from gas appliances, Sandy is getting ahead of the curve and taking advantage of the incentives in place.”
Advice for Homeowners
Beyond the immediate benefits, Sandy encourages others to stay informed. “They should read the Sustainable Princeton Newsletter and follow its helpful links.” Her journey highlights the importance of doing research, asking questions, and working collaboratively with contractors who are open to learning and adapting.
Take Action!
Sandy’s experience underscores the importance of being proactive, informed, and open-minded when making home upgrades. Whether it’s taking advantage of incentives, reducing emissions, or simply ensuring a reliable system for the long term, making smart energy choices benefits both homeowners and the environment.
If you’re considering a sustainable home upgrade, take the time to research, ask questions, and challenge the status quo. The perfect place to do this is at the Sustainable Home Expo on March 8th at the Princeton High School from 11 AM to 3 PM. Go to SustainablePrinceton.org/events to learn more!
