Jon Harrod

1 month ago | finehomebuilding.com | Jon Harrod |Abby Cote

With their potential for cost savings, low energy use, and long lifespan, heat-pump water heaters (HPWHs) offer clear advantages over traditional water heaters. This article explores how HPWHs work, their benefits, and key considerations like cost, energy savings, sizing, and installation. It also compares the operating costs and energy efficiency of various water heater types, and includes specifications for four HPWH models.

2 months ago | finehomebuilding.com | Jon Harrod |Abby Cote

Over the past decade, there has been a steady rise in electric alternatives to traditional lawn care tools. Building science consultant Jon Harrod explains the differences between gas vs. electric leaf blowers, highlighting factors like air pollution, noise, health risks, and more. He also offers advice on sustainable lawn care practices like mulching and composting leaves. Lawn Care Across CommunitiesI live in a hippie-ish college town in Upstate NY.

Jan 27, 2025 | finehomebuilding.com | Jon Harrod |Abby Cote

Heat pumps need to be elevated to keep them from being blocked by snow and to allow meltwater produced during the defrost cycle to drain away. Without adequate drainage, the meltwater can refreeze, clogging or damaging the unit. In a previous article, I looked at mounting options, including wall brackets and ground-mounted pads and stands. While most of the frost that forms on the heat pump’s outdoor coil comes from water vapor in the air, liquid water can also add to the moisture load.

Jan 15, 2025 | finehomebuilding.com | Jon Harrod |Abby Cote

Heat-pump water heaters capture energy from the air and transfer it to the tank. For each kWh consumed, they can deliver three or more kWh worth of water heating. This makes them less expensive to operate than standard electric tanks and, in some areas, even cheaper than natural gas. But they can struggle to keep up with heavy hot water use, especially in cooler basements and garages. The LG Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater, introduced in 2023, seeks to address these shortcomings.

Dec 6, 2024 | greenbuildingadvisor.com | Jon Harrod |Kiley Jacques

Water heating accounts for 10-20% of energy use in a typical American home. Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are an important technology for reducing this energy use and associated carbon emissions. HPWHs use a vapor-compression cycle similar to those in air conditioners, heat pumps, and dehumidifiers. By capturing heat from air and transferring it to the tank, HPWHs can achieve efficiencies three or more times higher than conventional electric water heaters.