If you need to replace your water heater, you should consider an electric heat pump water heater. I used to think that they were too expensive, but things have changed. This is an especially awesome choice if you have solar panels to power it.
Hot water production, on average, accounts for 18% of your utility bill. You could save $$$ by upgrading to a more efficient water heating system.
Get $ Back When You Buy a Heat Pump Water Heater
If you are an SDG&E customer, you can receive a $250 rebate when you buy a qualifying electric heat pump water heater. To make it even better, Lowe’s will give you the SDG&E in-store rebate if you buy one of their A.O. Smith water heaters, which are on sale through 2017. The 50-gallon model is on sale for $949, and the 80-gallon model is on sale for $1649. These are the prices before the $250 SDG&E rebate. To make this even better, if you buy online at Lowes.com with eBates, you’ll receive an extra 5% cash back!
How Do Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters Work?
Heat pump water heaters use the same technology as refrigerators, only in reverse. Instead of pulling heat from inside the refrigerator and releasing it into the room, heat pump water heaters move heat from the air into the water tank.
High-Efficiency Heat Pump Water Heaters vs. Other Electric Water Heaters – Energy Savings
Heat pump water heaters are most efficient in warmer climates like here in Southern California, where they use about one-third the electricity of conventional electric water heaters. At the same time, even in colder places like North Dakota, heat pump water heaters still use only half as much electricity as conventional electric water heaters.
“Hybrid” heat pump water heaters use a back-up resistive heating element when the smaller heat pump can’t produce enough hot water. Pure heat pump water heaters, which have a larger capacity heat pump, do not need a back-up element, and are more efficient than “hybrid” models.
Natural gas water heaters lose some of the produced heat through venting. Electric water heaters do not have to vent any combustion gases, which contributes to their efficiency.
Increase the Savings – Just Add Solar
Another upgrade for your home is a solar system. A solar PV system can power your hot water production, and bring down your utility costs. To learn more about installing a solar system, read more about Residential Solar Power and the 30% federal tax incentive.
The Bottom Line
High-efficiency electric heat pump water heaters are safer than natural gas water heaters – no potential gas leaks, and no combustible by-products. Of course, if you add solar panels to power your water heater, then you can heat water with virtually no fossil fuel consumption.
You can also read my 2016 article about solar thermal water heating.
As always, contact me with any questions.
