PORTLAND, ORE. — More than 125 plumbing contractors attended an in-depth briefing on the new Rheem HP-50 Heat Pump Water Heater at the World Trade Center Plaza here this October. The three-hour outdoor workshop was part of a daylong HP-50 launch event, held for the plumbing trade, regional electric utilities and energy-efficiency organizations.

The WTC is headquarters for Portland General Electric (PGE), an electric utility that has served northwest Oregon since 1889. PGE co-hosted the launch event with Rheem Water Heating, which recently became the first manufacturer to announce delivery of a fully integrated, high-efficiency, air-source heat pump water heater to both the plumbing wholesale and the utility channels. Originally unveiled in mid-September, the new air- source HP-50 Heat Pump Water Heater offers an Energy Factor of 2.0, or more than twice the efficiency of a standard electric storage water heater.

Intended for residential applications, both new construction and drop-in replacement of existing units, the HP-50 has a 50-gal. storage capacity and meets the qualifications for an Energy Star listing. Its energy-saving design will help a family reduce its carbon footprint by nearly two tons annually.

In addition, the unit qualifies for a federal tax credit of 30% of the installed cost (up to $1,500), as well as many state and utility rebates and incentives. All of these combine to shorten the payback period on the homeowner’s investment.

Additional information is available at: http://www.rheem.com/Products/tank_water_heaters/hpwh/.