Alternative Energy Water Heater in Series?

Patrick · 10-24-10, 08:29 PM

Now that I have my hybrid heat pump water heater installed I'm thinking about putting the old water heater in series before the hybrid and heating that water with alternative energy sources.

So the water flow would go from the water softener into the old (modified) heater, then into the hybrid water heater, then into the house. The idea being that water heated by the old heater doesn't need to be heated by the hybrid and therefore won't use any power I have to buy from the grid.

I was thinking of buying two 500W 12V elements and installing them in place of the original 220V elements. I would then power one element with a wind turbine and the other with some PV panels. Do the members see any problems with this plan? Thanks.

10-24-10, 08:29 PM	#1
Patrick Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: East Coast of Florida, USA Posts: 149 Thanks: 2 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Alternative Energy Water Heater in Series? Now that I have my hybrid heat pump water heater installed I'm thinking about putting the old water heater in series before the hybrid and heating that water with alternative energy sources. So the water flow would go from the water softener into the old (modified) heater, then into the hybrid water heater, then into the house. The idea being that water heated by the old heater doesn't need to be heated by the hybrid and therefore won't use any power I have to buy from the grid. I was thinking of buying two 500W 12V elements and installing them in place of the original 220V elements. I would then power one element with a wind turbine and the other with some PV panels. Do the members see any problems with this plan? Thanks.