GE ends on the GeoSpring heat pump warm water heating system

Back in 2012 Tree Hugger emeritus Brian Merchant took this image of the very first GE GeoSpring hot water heater rolling off the assembly line in Louisville, Kentucky. He kept in mind that half the city was there to see the occasion, viewed as a turning point.

This was a significant occasion for two reasons: First, it marked the beginning of production of the most energy effective water heater on the market. Second, it's the first brand-new product that has actually rolled off the assembly line at GE Appliances in 50 years ... Certainly, if it carries out as GE claims it does, the GeoSpring is specifically the sort of home appliance that can assist Americans take significant strides in improving energy efficiency. There's need to believe the product will be popular-- previous models have actually sold well, and outlooks are promising.

The GeoSpring hot water heater was a creative style with an air source heat pump installed on an insulated tank. Heat pumps are more efficient due to the fact that they move heat instead of making it, and the GeoSpring could conserve homeowners hundreds of dollars annually and could spend for itself in just two or 3 years.

But alas, that's not good enough for the I Desired It Now culture; Scott Gibson writes in Green Structure Consultant that GE is ending on it composing that" in accordance with published reports, GE Appliances will stop producing the water heaters at the end of the year because of low sales, simply four years after the energy-efficient home appliances were presented."

Seemingly they cost too much, (two to three times what routine resistance water heaters cost) and GE has been losing millions on them. However there were other issues, raised by commenter’s at GBI: Regular water heaters are silent, while the GeoSpring had compressors and was actually noisy, some grumble that it was noisier than a refrigerator;

The quality, a minimum of at the start, was not great; Lack of clear professional serviceability; the plumbing technician doesn't know HEATING AND COOLING or refrigeration and the HVAC person does not understand pipes or water heaters. People simply don't care about energy effectiveness here in the U.S.A. That's my take on it. It's not exactly what's inside the walls but what's the wall painted with. Those concerned with real house energy efficiency is a very little minority, especially here in the USA where electrical energy is still inexpensive.

The whole story is simply sad; when you check out Brian's post there was a lot enjoyment, optimism and hope about high tech production going back to America with a terrific energy conserving item.