Install Electric Heat Pump Water Heater
What kind of water heater? Heat pump water heaters work just like an air conditioner, but in reverse. They are highly efficient electric water heaters and are the best option for both low cost and low impact on climate.
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
If it’s time to replace your water heater, you can generally save money, energy, and significantly lower your impact on climate by switching to an electric heat pump water heater. A Heat Pump Water Heater is a highly efficient electric water heater. It looks just like a regular water heater with a storage tank, the only difference is how it heats your water.
A heat pump water heater works just like an air conditioner or refrigerator, but in reverse. It takes the warm air from around the heater and uses that to heat the water. This process is much more efficient than regular electric water heating, actually up to 63% more efficient. This can create significant savings in energy, money, and impact.
Most importantly—this is one of the top actions you can take to reduce your climate impact. First, electric water heaters can be easily powered by clean, renewable electricity. However, if you are switching from a natural gas, propane, or fuel oil heater, this action has even more impact. Switching from fossil fuel to electric units is one of the most important actions we can take—it creates the infrastructure to run our homes on clean renewable energy into the future. Read on to learn more about heat pump water heaters.
1Learn more about Heat Pump Water Heaters
Learn more about Heat Pump Water Heaters:
How does a heat pump work? A Heat Pump Water Heater (also called HPWH) works just like a refrigerator or air conditioner—but in reverse. A fridge pumps warm air out of the fridge and dumps it in the surrounding room. A heat pump water heater takes warm air from the room it is in and pumps it (at a higher temperature) into the water in the tank.
Heat pump water heaters are sometimes called “hybrid” water heaters because they come with the option to automatically switch to regular electric heating during periods of high hot water use or cold temperatures.
Why choose a Heat Pump Water Heater? There is a long list:
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Save money. Heat pump water heaters are so efficient that if every household in the U.S. used a heat pump water heater (under 55 gallons), the energy cost savings would top $8.2 billion a year according to Energy Star. On average, for a household of 4, you can save around $330/year over a regular electric tank water heater, $130/year over a conventional gas tank water heater, and $30/year over a tankless gas water heater.
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Rebates. There are often rebates and tax incentives if you switch to a HPWH. Check with your utility or in the resources section below for programs available locally.
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Impact. Since HPWHs run on electricity, it is easy to power them with clean, renewable energy. If you choose to power your house with Green Electricity and install a HPWH, then your water heating will be carbon and air pollution free! And, as mentioned above, if you are switching from a gas, propane or fuel oil water heater it has even more impact by creating the infrastructure to power our homes with clean renewable electricity into the future.
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Help balance the grid. Since heat pump water heaters have a water storage tank, they can be used to help balance the grid when energy demand spikes. It is easy to set water heaters to use power during times where there are lower electricity demands. This can also save money on your bill.
2Learn about costs and when to upgrade
Prepare to upgrade. If you currently have a gas, propane or fuel oil water heater, switching to an HPWH may require upgrades. You need to have a 240-volt electric outlet near where the heater will be installed. This is the same type of outlet generally used for an electric clothes dryer. Sometimes this is already there or may need to be installed. If your electrical panel is older, it may require a panel upgrade. Talk with a professional to determine what, if any, upgrades you will need.
Cost. Heat pump systems cost a bit more initially but usually recover their cost over time through energy savings (depending on your local energy rates). The water heaters cost more, around $1,700 or more compared to around $700 for a gas unit (or $1,200 for California and Texas with stricter air pollution laws) or $700 for a conventional electric unit. Installation can also cost a bit more, particularly if you are switching from another fuel source. If you need to do a one time upgrade to install a new electrical outlet or upgrade your electrical panel, there will be an additional initial cost.
Look for rebates. Some areas provide rebates between $300 - $750 when you purchase a new heat pump water heater. Check with your local utility or in the resources section for rebates available in your area.
3Choose your new water heater & install
Here are a few things to consider for your HPWH installation:
Hire a contractor. Before you choose a water heater, hire an experienced contractor to help you decide on your options. However, be aware that Heat Pump water heater options are new and not all contractors are familiar with them. Look for a contractor that has experience with all water heater types so they can give you the best advice. Let them know that you are interested not only in the cost estimate but also in the impact of your purchase on climate and air pollution. You can also use our site to also help you determine impact.
Location. Generally, your HPWH will fit in the same space as your current water heater, but it might be a few inches taller. A HPWH requires some airflow, so if you plan to keep it in a closet you will need to add some venting. Finally, to take advantage of the efficient heat pump mode, your HPWH needs to be in a space that stays fairly warm in the winter—between 40º– 90ºF. If your winters are cold, plan to keep your water heater in your basement or other conditioned space.
Size. Most likely, you can pick the same size tank as your current water heater. Bigger water heaters require more energy to heat, so consider how much hot water you really need—especially if you plan to also adopt more water-wise behaviors. It could be a great time to lower your energy use even more! If you need help choosing a water heater size, learn how on the Energy.gov website.
Choose a model. Look for a model with a high Universal Energy Factor (UEF) number, which indicates it has a higher energy efficiency rating. Also, ask your contractor for input on choosing a model.
4Choose the best settings and maintain your HPWH
Congrats! Switching to an electric HPWH is a great way to save energy and money while reducing your impact. Here are a few tips now that you have your new heater:
Choose the best settings. Your HPWH likely has a control panel that allows you to select from different modes. Here are a few:
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Efficiency/Economy – This mode only uses the heat pump to heat water and maximizes energy efficiency and savings.
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Auto/Hybrid – This is probably the default setting for your water heater. It provides energy-efficient water heating first, but will switch to the standard electric heat element if it’s too cold to use the heat pump, or if you need to heat water faster (everyone wanted to shower at the same time). This is the best setting for comfort and convenience.
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Electric/Heater – This mode is the least energy efficient and operates as a standard water heater, relying on only the electric element to heat water.
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Vacation & Timer – This option may not be available on all models. If you have this setting you can put your unit in a “sleep” mode which saves energy while you are away.
Maintain your new HPWH! To keep your new HPWH working efficiently, maintain it properly. Check the manufacturer’s guide for the recommended maintenance of your unit.
Recycling your old water heater. Your old water heater is made of metal that can be recycled. Often your installer can recycle it for you. Check to make sure they plan to recycle it. If you are not sure, check with your city or waste hauler for information on local recycling programs. Many cities have recycling programs that accept large appliances and may even offer a curbside pickup option.
Extra credit: Set your water heater to 120 degrees. Learn more on the Turn Water Heater Temp Down action!