FPL | Large Business| Waterheating
Large Business

Business Water Heating Program:
Incentives for Using Equipment to Heat Water Efficiently

How your business can benefit | Who should install this technology | FPL incentive | Start saving today

  Business Sense:
Breaking Down The Savings
 

If a 500-gallon heat pump water heater is installed in a cafeteria kitchen, here’s how the cost vs. savings breaks down:

 

Installation cost*: $4,500 (HPWH costs $6,000. In new construction, HVAC system can be downsized by 2 tons, saving $1,500 on the equipment purchase.)

  FPL incentive: $1,000
  Annual energy savings: $1,190 ($1,100 in water heating costs and $90 in cooling costs)
 

Payback period*:
3 years for new construction and 4.6 years for retrofit

  *New construction installation. Benefit of a downsized HVAC system would not apply in a retrofit situation.
  These programs are subject to modification or cancellation at any time without notice. Final eligibility requirements are specified in the program standards.

For many businesses, a constant flow of hot water and air conditioning is essential to profitable operations. While maintaining these necessities can account for a large portion of your energy bills, two technologies can help your business increase energy efficiency through the dual operation of your electric water heating and cooling equipment. Even better news, FPL will help you pay to install the technology.

A heat recovery unit (HRU):

  • Recycles rejected heat from your air conditioning or refrigeration system and uses it to heat water.
  • Heats water 50% more efficiently than a standard electric water heater.
  • Reclaims heat normally rejected to the outside air and is typically installed on the hot gas side of air conditioning units.

A heat pump water heater (HPWH):

  • Reclaims energy from the air, water or ground sources, and directly heats water.
  • Heats water three to four times more efficiently than its conventional electric counterpart.

How your business can benefit

1. Lower cost of hot water – HRUs and HPWHs provide the same reliable supply of hot water as standard electric water heaters for a savings of 50% or more.

2. Reduced air conditioning costs – HRUs allow your HVAC system to operate more efficiently by increasing the heat rejection of the condenser system. HPWHs can also cool and dehumidify indoor air, allowing a reduction in HVAC equipment operation time. In new construction, installing a HPWH can reduce air conditioning needs, allowing you to downsize and save on your HVAC equipment purchase.

3. FPL incentive – FPL offers an incentive toward the installation of HRU or HPWH technology, depending on equipment type and size. Click here for incentive tables.

Who should install this technology

If your business needs a large, steady flow of hot water throughout the day and also requires continuous cooling and dehumidification, you could benefit from a HRU or HPWH. The technology is well suited to a number of business types, including the restaurant, hospitality, medical and manufacturing industries. Even if your business requires considerable amounts of hot water over a short amount of time, you can also take advantage of the technology by installing a larger-than-traditional tank.

Making the most of FPL’s incentive

To qualify for FPL’s incentive, your water heating system must be:

  • Electric and used to supply heated water to meet process hot water needs.
  • Installed with pre-heat tank or special tank/controls that minimize backup strip element usage and maximize efficiency.
  • In compliance with all local, state and national codes pertaining to the installation and operation of water heating equipment.

Everybody wins

With HRU/HPWH systems, building owners save energy and money and all of us benefit from reduced energy demand.

Start saving today

For more information about FPL’s energy-saving services:

  • call our Business Care Center at 1-800-FPL-5566 (1-800-375-5566) or
  • contact your customer manager.

Program standards

  • Click here for Business Water Heating Trade Ally Program Standards

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