GeoSpring Use with Timer

The GeoSpring water heater can be used with a timer, but we recommend against using a timer because it may actually increase your energy consumption.

The GeoSpring is designed to maximize energy efficiency by using the heat pump as the primary means to heat the water, but it also has standard electric elements that energize if the water temperature in the tank falls too low indicating a high hot water demand situation. This allows the GeoSpring to maximize energy efficiency under normal conditions, but also allows GeoSpring to recover just like a standard electric water heater under high demand conditions.

A timer turns power on and off to your water heater. This could present a problem if the water temperature drops too low during an off period. When the unit is reenergized, it could sense a low water temperature in the water heater and energize the less efficient standard electric elements to recover the water temperature more quickly (it will respond like a high-demand situation).

Had the timer not been used, power would not have been interrupted to the water heater and the GeoSpring would have used the heat pump to more efficiently maintain the water temperature at the setpoint level. By using the standard electric elements, you will have used more electricity and reduced your savings.

The heat pump is up to 62% more efficient at heating the water than the standard electric elements so anything that causes the standard electric elements to energize instead of the heat pump will reduce your efficiency and energy savings.