PUD considers pump water heater study

Wahkiakum PUD staff will soon announce the criteria for eligible customers to apply to participate in a study that will install heat pump water heaters in homes in order to monitor their energy efficiency. At the end of the 12 month program, participants have the option of keeping the new water heater.

On Tuesday, PUD Auditor Erin Wilson explained to the PUD Board of Commissioners that Wahkiakum PUD was selected to participate in the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)-sponsored program which will install 40 water heaters in homes across Washington in August. Compared to a standard water heater, heat pump water heaters use energy more efficiently and thus will reduce a household’s carbon footprint and utility bill.

Participants will have to meet very specific criteria which will be advertised shortly, said Wilson. She said eligible customers may submit their names for a drawing. Three households will be selected.

Also at Tuesday’s PUD Commissioners’ meeting, Manager Dave Tramblie asked the board to consider disaster preparation planning as a future topic of discussion. The commissioners asked Tramblie to look at relevant documents prepared by the BPA and to report back.