Heat pump electric water heater (washer, furnace, tank, installing)

[Tiger500]

Are they worth the extra cost? I am shopping around for a replacement for my current electric water heater and saw a video about HP water heaters. I didn't even know there was such a thing.

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by Tiger500

Are they worth the extra cost? I am shopping around for a replacement for my current electric water heater and saw a video about HP water heaters. I didn't even know there was such a thing.

Maybe. How old are you? If you have fewer than seven years left, don't bother. You'll not make back the investment.

Rather than give a direct answer, I'll suggest you consider the following:

Upfront cost of it and installation

Complexity and cost of repair of one vs. a tank with immersion heater

Noise (they are not silent).

Cost of electricity and your use of hot water

The cooling effect in the space where it is placed - AND - in winter the cost of replacing that heat.


For myself, I would refuse to pay the upfront cost. I have a couple of spare water heaters anyway and know plumbing. If I got a bug up my butt about electric cost, I would consider rewiring a standard heater so that one element was powered by a solar panel instead of mains power. About the only unique issue would be installing a thermostatic switch to cut off the solar if the tank water got above a certain temperature. I can just about guarantee it would save FAR more money.

[Tiger500]

My current water heater still produces hot water but it does not last as long as it use to. Its over 20 yrs old. I had it last checked a yr ago and I was told the heating elements were kind of funky. Since then I had a soft water system installed. I am on well water. I guess I could consider replacing the heating elements. I'm 64 so I have a few yrs left. It would be nice to not run out of hot water in the shower after 8 mins.

[harry chickpea]

The lower element in your current heater is shot. The element is going to be less than $20, the installation maybe $150. You do the math.

[avocadojack]

I installed 1 at my house. It cost me roughly $120/year to operate vs. almost $500/year to operate a typical electric water heater.. Initial cost is higher but your savings far outweigh the initial cost.

[cvetters63]

Originally Posted by avocadojack

I installed 1 at my house. It cost me roughly $120/year to operate vs. almost $500/year to operate a typical electric water heater.. Initial cost is higher but your savings far outweigh the initial cost.

I hear you. I have an electric car, and the rest of the house runs on electricity (except the furnace uses propane). But the EV, dryer, washer, HVAC and lighting combined don't use the amount of electricity my damn water heater does. It's 20 years old this year and I'm thinking it needs to be replaced with a HP water heater.

[CCCyou]

Originally Posted by cvetters63

I hear you. I have an electric car, and the rest of the house runs on electricity (except the furnace uses propane). But the EV, dryer, washer, HVAC and lighting combined don't use the amount of electricity my damn water heater does. It's 20 years old this year and I'm thinking it needs to be replaced with a HP water heater.

My 80 gallon heat-pump waterheater uses only 300 watts when running in heatpump mode!

With an average of 5 people in the house, mine has already 'paid' for itself with the electricity saved the first 2 years in use, however I did install it myself and did get it for a really great price.

[king john IV]

yes.
for us.