Best Heat Pump Water Heater Of 2023: Completed List
Dart Hill Sep 28, 2023 8:57 PM
Finding a suitable heat pump water heater may involve much investigation. There is also no simple way to evaluate the various makes and sellers. In this post, we'll take a close look at the best low-cost heat pump water heaters on the market today.
Many companies and stores sell and produce hybrid water heaters. The best water heaters can be expensive, so it helps to have some background knowledge and do some research. Rheem, A.O. Smith, and Steibel Eltron are just a few of the best-known manufacturers in this area. Home Depot and Lowe's are fantastic places to go if you're looking for a store to buy a hybrid water heater and possibly have it installed.
Having a head start on your quest is always helpful. If you're looking into purchasing a hybrid water heater for your house, this article will provide you with all the information you need to make a wise choice. It is our sincere desire that you find this information useful.
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Last update on 2023-09-28 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Capacity
Standard capacities for tank water heaters range from 40 to 55 gallons. It's important to consider both your peak water usage and the number of people in your household when deciding what size tank to purchase. An normal day for a family of four could involve the use of 100 gallons of hot water or more from activities like taking multiple showers, operating the dishwasher, and washing two loads of laundry. However, this fact does not necessitate the installation of a 100-gallon tank in the average home.
When shopping for a storage tank water heater, it's crucial to think about the first-hour rating, which is the number of gallons the heater can supply in the first hour from a full tank. FHR is printed on the EnergyGuide label. Use the FHR calculator on the Energy Saver website to determine which model will work best for your home.
New efficiency regulations have resulted in a 4 percent efficiency increase for water heaters with 55 gallons or less of storage capacity, and a 25 to 50 percent efficiency increase for those with 55 gallons or more of storage capacity, depending on the technology employed (heat pump or condensing). (For examples of water heaters, see below.)
Further, you shouldn't assume that a new water heater will fit in the same space as the previous one. Some contemporary water heaters may be larger in width and/or height than your old one is because of additional insulation and other efficiency enhancements.
Since tankless water heaters have such a little storage capacity, the only relevant metric is the unit's ability to deliver water at a certain rate in gallons per minute (GPM). That's the maximum amount of hot water the heater can supply in a given amount of time. If the GPM rating is higher, that means the machine can supply a greater volume of hot water. A higher GPM tankless water heater is recommended for larger households with several bathrooms. The average shower can use up to 2.5 gallons every minute. The following table shows the range in gallons per load used by several types of modern washing machines, from 7 gallons (front-loader) to 19 gallons (agitator top-loader). Make a careful estimate of what you'll require.
Warranty
Water heaters normally have a warranty that ranges from three to twelve years. Longer-warranty models may cost more up front, but they often have larger elements or burners that heat water more quickly and have better insulation that reduces heat loss. Select the longest warranty offering water heater.
Anti-scale devices
Some manufacturers boast that their products can keep the water in the tank from settling into a mineral scale by constantly agitating the sediment. Even though scale might reduce the heating element's lifespan, you don't need to spend a lot of money on a high-tech water heater to achieve good results. Find one with a 12-year guarantee, which usually means it has a longer or thicker element.
Location
The space where the heat pump will be installed must be large enough to allow for adequate ventilation, service, and upkeep. Remember that a minimum of a thousand cubic feet of room is needed for hybrids. It is adaptable, able to use either outdoor or ambient air. If you are planning on installing a heat pump, you may find these suggestions useful.
Brand
Pick a reliable brand name like Rheem, AO Smith, Bosch, Stiebel Eltron, etc. If you want the manufacturer's warranty to hold, you'll need to have the product installed by authorized personnel.
Warranty
Storage tanks made of stainless steel, which are resistant to corrosion, are included in the finest lifetime warranty models.
Why Switch to a Heat Pump Water Heater?
For the netzero homes we do, we always replace the water heater with a heat pump, no matter how young it is, due to the return on investment. A 40 gallon Rheem unit and installation by a handyman or plumber will run you around $2,000, with an annual savings of around $400.
The Rheem unit (40 gallon) we have in our second net-zero home restoration project is approximately half as loud as the popular A.O. Smith one you can get at Lowes (which I also own). The Rheem is superior in appearance, quiet operation, and the ability to be controlled remotely via a smartphone app (or set vacation mode and other things). My next build will use this Rheem unit exclusively.
My previous 40 gallon unit's Energy Guide label estimated it would cost $530 per year to run (at 12 cents/kWh), yet my new 40 gallon Rheem unit costs only $104. That amounts to a yearly savings of $426.
Simply dividing $2,000 by $426 yields a payback time of 4.69 years. And it comes with a 10-year guarantee. If you are considering going solar, I can tell you that by implementing these measures first, you can save as much as twice or three times the cost of solar simply by reducing your energy consumption. According to the numbers, switching to a heat pump hot water heater can save enough energy to charge a standard electric car for a whole year. That's assuming a yearly mileage of between 10,000 and 11,000 miles, however precise figures will vary by make and model. Different houses and situations will call for different solutions, but each will be interesting in their own ways.
How much is a heat pump water heater?
There is a wide range of heat pump water heater costs available. Compared to conventional water heaters or tankless models, these units are prohibitively expensive.
It's common for a 50-gallon heat pump water heater to set you back roughly $1,100, while a more basic unit may be purchased for $300-$400. Enhanced heat pumps can cost between $1500 and $2000, but they provide greater convenience, greater efficiency, and longer service life.
Heat pump water heater installation fees are additional expenses to think about. Given the complexity of the setup process, it's best to have a trained technician take care of the installation.
The upfront investment may seem hefty, but the lifetime savings in electricity expenses and tax credits more than make up for it.
Is a heat pump the same as a water heater?
Contrary to popular belief, heat pump water heaters are not the same as conventional models. While both of these devices heat water, they do it in different ways.
These water heater pumps draw air from the environment to heat water. The heated air then circulates through the chambers and into the pipes, where it warms the water. Furthermore, the process generates cooler air that is then distributed through the home's ventilation system. These heat pumps are like a refrigerator in reverse, providing heat instead of cooling.
Pump water heaters have greater efficiency than conventional models because of this method. Conversely, water is heated as it flows through the metal tubes of a standard electric water heater (also see "Ariston Water Heater GL 4 In Depth Review For 2021).
It might be difficult to determine which hybrid hot water heater is ideal for your household. Your options may be constrained by their size, warranty, or cost. The best low-cost heat pump water heaters all come with excellent warranties and a high rate of return, which is excellent news.
We hope our advice has helped you save time in your quest for a high-quality inexpensive hybrid hot water heater, whether you're headed to your neighborhood hardware or home improvement store or planning to buy from a national company.
