Today, electrification is a common environmental theme. Electric items will see more demand from eco-conscious shoppers, and gas will see increased regulation from municipal governments. This indicates that both electric and heat pump water heaters will continue to grow in popularity. If you’re interested in a heat pump water heater, here are 14 things you should know.
1. Lower Utilities
The cost to operate a heat pump water heater is far lower than that of a conventional electric water heater. This is one of their main selling points.
2. Lower Carbon Footprint
Heat pump water heaters are preferable to conventional electric models because of their lower power consumption. About 60% of the U.S. electrical supply comes from fossil fuels. If you use less electricity, less fossil fuels will need to be produced.
3. You Need Power
240 volts is the standard voltage needed to power a heat pump water heater. If you don’t already have an electrician on staff and you need to replace a gas water heater, but you don’t have enough electricity, you’ll need to hire a subcontractor.
4. You Need Space
Heat pump water heaters are suggested for use in areas up to around a thousand square feet. That’s right; you’ll need a space of 10 feet by 10 feet. You should be OK installing it in a basement or a garage. Water heaters often housed in closets will necessitate relocation. If the closet is located in the garage, the door may feasibly be eliminated.
5. There is an Ambient Temperature Range
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping your heat pump water heater anywhere between 60 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The basement is suitable for most uses. Some storage space is probably best avoided. Many Texas applications, including those for the attic, are dubious.
6. Free Cooling
The water heater with the heat pump might help keep things cool. Heat pumps extract heat from the air and transfer it to the water in a storage tank through a refrigerant and a compressor. When heat is removed, the air becomes colder. This is an advantage during the warmer months but a little disadvantage during the colder months.
7. Free Dehumidification
The heat pump extracts heat from the air around it, but it also removes moisture. Some damp basements can be made less moist with the use of a heat pump water heater.
8. You Must Drain Condensate
Condensate is the byproduct of the heat pump water heater and must be drained. The price will increase to account for the installation of a drain if one is not already present.
9. Recovery Times are Slow
Recovering hot water with only a heat pump is a time-consuming process. The use of electric resistance heat can speed up the healing process, but it will also waste a lot of money. A bigger storage tank is another option.
10. Heat Pump Water Heaters Make Noise
A compressor is operating while hot water is being heated. There is background noise present. Usually, this won’t be an issue, but you should nonetheless let them know what to expect.
11. Longer Life
It is expected that heat pump water heaters would last only a little bit longer than their tank-style counterparts. The gap is only a few years, but it makes a difference.
12. They Cost More
The cost is the main drawback of a heat pump water heater. The retail price tag from the maker is around three times that of a regular storage water heater. The final price tag might be up to four times higher after installation. Some consumers, especially those who expect utility prices to rise in the future, are prepared to spend much more now to save money in the long run. Others are prepared to shell out extra cash in order to lessen their impact on the environment.
13. Incentives Offset Costs
Heat pump water heaters are a favorite among government authorities. Consequently, there are subsidies at the national, state, and even municipal levels. The DSIRE database (https://www.dsireusa.org/) is the place to go for up-to-date details on federal incentives.
14. More Profitable for Plumbers
Heat pump water heaters may be equally quick or slow to install as conventional storage water heaters. You may factor in the time and effort required, even if it raises the price. Plumbers may make a lot of money installing heat pump water heaters due to the high material prices and the resulting high gross profit dollars and gross profit per man hour.
Offer the Option
You cannot distinguish between consumers who are prepared to spend more for a heat pump water heater and those who are just interested in the cheapest option. Therefore, they must be an available choice on all estimates for new water heater installations. Not everyone will be interested in them. For some, the inexpensive initial investment of a storage water heater may make it the preferred choice over a heat pump water heater. Providing the merchandise is a risk-free move on your part. Give the buyer a choice and see what happens.
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