[just1moredave]

We had a Rheem 50 gallon hybrid unit installed a couple of months ago and I like it. One important point for energy monitor customers, the Rheem app tells you how many kilowatt hours it uses, so you can save some sensors for other uses. We used to use 9 therms a month for hot water, now it’s less than 60 kWh. It might go up a bit in the winter as it is extracting heat from a colder basement.

At our energy prices (Colorado), it’s a little cheaper to run on electricity but not a lot. Electricity prices are less volatile, while gas costs spiked last year, but came down again. My guess is I would save maybe $5 a month, a long payback period. But energy costs are not the only costs.

In my case, the water heater was my last gas appliance so I can disconnect gas service and save $13/month. Professional installation added to the cost. Rebates make it cheaper. I have solar so my electricity is cheaper than market rates. My gas water was going to dissolve at some point. Carbon impact. The spreadsheet can be quite long. And I remember when appliances and cars didn’t have a payback period.

[just1moredave]

I spent some time with a Sharpie highlighting all those arrows and labels before installation. The flexible sensors are black so I used a silver Sharpie. I also tried numbering the sensors and their plug ends. When everything is stuffed through the conduit, it would be hard to trace an individual sensor wire. I changed my mind about the numbering system and numbered everything twice – don’t do that.

I have two “backward” 50A sensors for the solar breakers and it does bother me a little. 🙂

Another tip: if you redo the installation like I did, and have solar, reset the energy monitor app. My data was very confusing until I did that. Turn off solar and make sure an appliance is on and drawing power. In the app, use the menu, go to Manage Devices, your monitor and circuits, scroll to the bottom of the list and choose Reset WiFi/Solar, then maybe put in your wifi password again, then choose the I Have Solar option. Then switch on solar. The instructions are in the Solar Supplement PDF.

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