Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has allocated $50,000 to support La Plata Electric Association’s air-source heat pump water heater pilot project.
Air-source heat pump water heaters are highly efficient and are therefore cheaper to operate and have a much lower carbon footprint than traditional gas heaters.
With additional money from Beneficial Electrification League and LPEA, the project has secured more than $100,000 to help income-qualified LPEA members adopt the latest electric water heating technology.
“This is an exciting project for LPEA because it will allow us to test the viability of grid-integrated technologies, like air-source heat pump water heaters, to manage our local power demand,” LPEA CEO Jessica Matlock said. “I want to thank Tri-State for their support.”
LPEA will install heaters in up to 30 homes in the Animas View Mobile Home Park.
Heaters will run on a schedule to help LPEA avoid the higher cost of power during peak consumption periods, which will keep costs lower for all LPEA members. Because the heaters store hot water, members who adopt the new technology will not be affected.
LPEA also plans to install other energy efficiency measures in the homes, including LED lighting, low-flow faucets and shower heads, and window and door weather-stripping.
The program will be implemented in partnership with Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency and is expected to begin outreach in February, and installations in March. Participation is free and voluntary.
