New heat Pump water heaters

This page deals with stand-alone heat pumps water heaters. For air-source and ground-source heat pumps with the new hot water feature (using a desuperheater device) see: New Heat Pump Features

Heat Humps Water Heaters Efficiency

Basically, new heat pump water heaters work like refrigerators in reverse. They are highly efficient electric units, capable of being three times more energy-efficient than common electric water heaters - which makes them competitive even with condensing gas water units.

New Efficient Heat Pump Water Heaters

Big manufacturers like GE, Rheem, American, A. O. Smith, Aquaterm Industries, Ruud, Reliance, York or Stiebel Eltron are now offering high efficient heat pump water heaters, and Energy Star is rating them as qualified water heaters.

These water heaters are stand-alone systems, designed to provide hot water to bathrooms and kitchens, or to produce hot water for space heating.

Prices

New heat pump water heaters prices vary with their efficiency. Prices around $1,500-$2,000 (more $300 to $700 to install) for the most efficient units are common. Online sellers like Amazon are offering some units at a lower price: see for instance: Heat Pump Water Heater, 50 Gallon.

Requirements & installation

The problem with heat pump water heaters is that they require temperatures between 40º and 90ºF (3º-32ºC) to work efficiently. They aren't a solution for freezing climates...

They also require at least 1,000 cubic feet (28 cubic meters) of air space around them for a good performance and to avoid cooling the surrounding area. Installing them in a furnace room or in other space with excess heat is a good option to avoid that cooling.

Costs & Warranties

New heat pump water heaters provide lower running costs - typically a third of other electric water heaters - and are cost-competitive with the best gas condensing water heaters. Most warranties vary from 1 to 7 years.