Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
I'd highly recommend a Geospring hybrid heat pump water heater over switching to gas. They're far more energy efficient than a gas or regular electric water heater. You get a $300 federal tax credit for installing one, and we also got a $300 rebate from our electric company. We switched from propane to the Geospring. Since you already have an electric water heater, it would be a direct replacement.
http://m.lowes.com/pd/GE-GeoSpring-50-Gallon-10-Year-Hybrid-Water-Heater-ENERGY-STAR/3664968
Agreed. I replaced our gas water heater with one of the first generation GeoSpring water heaters in around 5 or 6 years ago, and the reduction in our propane usage was noticeable, but the change in our electric bill was minimal.
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Heat pumps aren't that good when it's cold, but considering OP is in Texas, it should be fine.
Interesting. I'm in Iowa, and it is cold in the winter, yet our GeoSpring (heat pump) water heater works great. I've never had to use anything but full Eco mode, despite multiple showers on mornings when guests are here. It's not uncommon to do a load of laundry at the same time my wife and I take subsequent showers in the morning.
Originally Posted By: oilmutt
It is my understanding that Geospring hot water heaters requier a place to drain the water.i have no drain in my basement,is this so?
There is no condensate such as there is with an air conditioning unit. However, any water heater requires access to a safe drain location in the event that the tank leaks or the pressure relief valve is tripped.
Originally Posted By: Leo99
Those fancy tankless and hybrid heaters cost a lot more money and have a tricky installation. Since yours is new install for gas, you should look at the direct vent types if you don't have the vent set up already.
Well I'll be darned. No one told me that when I installed our GeoSpring. I thought the installation was pretty simple-I only needed to run a new 220v line from the panel to the water heater. The rest (I thought) was extremely simple, and even running the new electric line wasn't all that difficult. Pray tell, what is "tricky" about installing a hybrid water heater such as a GeoSpring?