Best Overall
Rheem Performance Platinum Hybrid Water Heater
Best Bang For The Buck
A.O. Smith Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater
Upgrade Pick
Stiebel Eltron Accelera 220 E Heat Pump Water Heater
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Heat pump water heaters are wide agnize as the most efficient way to produce live water for the home . They use less energy than traditional water supply heaters — and that mean importantly lower utility bills . It also means fewer glasshouse gas , so they ’re better for the major planet .
So why do n’t we all have one ? In part , it could be that consumers do n’t have enough info and are unsure of how to choose the right model . A in high spirits initial monetary value might also be a factor . This guidebook explains how rut pump water heaters work — and how they redeem money — and explore all the primal feature . It also reveals our picks for the best heat pump water heater presently available today .
Before You Buy a Heat Pump Water Heater
Despite their efficiency and economic system , heat pump body of water heaters may not be for everyone . While significant savings take place over time , a heat heart water smoke price will ab initio be more than most option . Additionally , some models do n’t heat water quite as quickly astraditional gasor electric models . Busy families will want to look cautiously at both armoured combat vehicle size and first hour rating , which is the estimate of how many gallons of hot water a water supply smoke can provide in an 60 minutes when starting with a tank full of hot urine .
Some heat heart pee heaters also need ample air space from which to get out heat energy . Keith Wortsmith , president ofDash Heating , Cooling & Plumbingin Hot Springs , Arkansas , confirms this : “ Heat pump water heaters require sufficient airflow around them to function expeditiously . This often entail they ca n’t be installed in tight quad like a small closet . ” However , a intercrossed heat energy ticker weewee bullet can be an effective solution . Wortsmith agrees , notice , “ This type of heat pump water hummer has a great advantage . It can shift to a traditional galvanizing water system heater when take . ” This flexibility can have the best the issues of cold surround and restricted space .
Tankless piss heatersare an economical alternative , so we looked into whether a tankless heat ticker urine fastball had been developed . Unfortunately , we only located one option , and it ’s presently only usable for commercial-grade instalment .
How We Chose the Best Heat Pump Water Heaters
A handful ofbrandsdominate this market , which meant we could conduct detailed research on just about every poser currently useable : nearly two dozen example in total .
There are three distinct types of rut pump water heaters , so it was important that we receive run examples of each eccentric for this guide . Key factors in deciding which models climb to the top were mental ability ( including if multiple sizes were uncommitted to suit different need ) , heating efficiency , Energy Department savings , and cost . We also break down customer feedback from several retail sources so we could check existent - world reliability and durability .
Our Top Picks
The abide by selections tender a variety of different result in specific categories . Read on to find out more about our top picks for the undecomposed heat ticker water heaters on the market place today .
One unfavorable judgment of heat pump weewee heaters is that they can be slow . The Rheem Performance Platinum water bullet negates this concern with a intercrossed setup that can operate in either heat pump musical mode for maximal energy savings or standard galvanic mode that produces hot water supply rapidly . Thanks to Wi - Fi integration and the EcoNet app , users can adjust these preferences from anywhere .
It ’s even possible to see how much hot water is in the tank via the app .
The crucial first time of day valuation ( FHR ) is a competitive 67 gallons . harmonize to Rheem , this model ’s unvarying muscularity cistron ( UEF ) of 3.88 means potential energy saving of 75 percentage compared to received electrical piddle heaters . That percentage translates to a savings of up to $ 315 per twelvemonth .
Get the Rheem intercrossed heat pump water bullet atThe Home Depot .
A.O. Smith ’s hybrid heat pump urine heater is another model that practice intercrossed technology to grow hot water very quickly to fill high demand but run economically the respite of the clip . According to the manufacturer , this engineering can result in likely energy savings of 76 percent compare to standard electric models — up to $ 385 per year .
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This example ’s specifications are interchangeable to many competitors with an FHR of 65 gallon and a UEF of 3.8 . The iCOMM Smart Connectivity app allows monitoring and ascendance from a smartphone , and users can also receive an alert if a leak is detected . The Leak Shield system will then automatically shut off the water supply until the leak is make . The pricing of the A.O. Smith Signature is a fleck higher than our best overall cream , but all thing considered , we think it offers splendid value for money .
Get the A. O. Smith heat ticker water heater atLowe ’s .
Stiebel Eltron is neat to point out that its Accelera 220 eastward model is not a hybrid mathematical product but a full heat energy pump water heater . This manufacturer ’s focus has been on energy economy , and it claims that this model reduces hot water bills by as much as 80 pct . Super insulation keep piddle hot for long period , while redesigned tune intake and exhaust grant for installing in compact space .
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An FHR of 50.3 congius reflects the fact that this is a staring heat heart model , leaving no doubtfulness they are a little slow . However , there is a plugger option for periods of high demand . The UEF is 3.09 . A digital display on the whole establish raging water volume , but the lack of Wi - Fi connectivity and a smartphone app for remote monitoring are definite downside to this good example .
Find a Stiebel Eltron heat pump piss hummer retailer atStiebel Eltron .
Best Smart
Rheem Performance Platinum Smart Water Heater
The Rheem Performance Platinum impudent water heater is base on our top pick — the Rheem Performance Platinum intercrossed model — and shares telling anatomy of an FHR of 67 gallon and a UEF of 3.88 . This example also extend a multifunction screen on the unit itself and an EcoNet smartphone app that offer control over mode selection .
The main benefit of this Rheem piddle hummer is the LeakSense leak detective work organisation that will automatically shut off the piss supply if a leak is detect and limit piddle loss to a maximum of 20 ounce . to boot , an audible alarm will sound , and the unit send a notification to the user ’s smartphone app . So , if the user is away , they do n’t need to race home to address the wetting .
Get the Rheem smart heat heart water heater atThe Home Depot .
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Most Versatile
Bradford White Aerotherm Heat Pump Water Heater
The Bradford White Aerotherm warmth pump water smoke is another intercrossed model , and like many challenger , it offer multiple operating modes . However , the level of dominance available to the user on this piss heater is especial . Whereas many rivals switch to the galvanizing mode for speedy water system heat , this poser ’s standard mode combines both heating plant systems , making it both truehearted and sparing . The publish UEF of 3.44 is calculated in standard mode , so even greater savings are possible when using the unit as a warmth pump only .
Full electric mood is usable for very insensate Clarence Day . holiday mode will tolerate the piddle temperature to drop down but automatically hike up it to the normal substance abuser - defined stage the daylight before return , so there ’s no wait for blistering water . The Bradford White Connect app allow for the user to create schedules and adjust temperatures remotely .
Get the Bradford White heat pump water warmer atAmazon .
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Best For Cooler Regions
Eco2 Systems Sanco2 Heat Pump Water Heater
The Sanco2 hotness ticker water hummer is a two - part system that uses engineering science standardised to split air conditioning units . The heat pump stays outdoors , with a hot urine tank deep down or else of a fan . These system are peculiarly idealistic for cooler climates , as they continue to bring on hot weewee even when the international temperature is as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit . They can be fast as well , with this 43 - gallon good example delivering an telling FHR of 69 Imperial gallon .
The outdoor unit runs at a nigh - silent 37 decibels and can be placed up to 50 foot from the indoor tank car . Since the tank ’s job is to just turn back live water , it is suitable for installment in qualified space . However , while the Sanco2 heating pump water heater is very efficient , its functionality is fair basic with no way or smartphone app .
Find a Eco2 Systems heating system pump water heater retail merchant atEco2 .
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Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Heat Pump Water Heater
In a nutshell , a heat pump hot pee bullet draws in tune , take out the latent high temperature from it , and utilize that air to allow hot water . In fact , these unit can pull up a surprising amount of warmth even when it feel chilly outdoors . Since estrus pump water heaters do n’t at once expend electricity or flatulence to inflame the water , they habituate much less energy than even the besttraditional water heaters . Keep reading to acquire about the important factors to consider when choosing a heating system pump water heater , such as sizing , performance , facility pick , and dissonance spirit level .
Size and First Hour Rating
The overall capacity of a body of water heater in gallons is one of the most important considerations in settle its suitability for any given home and family . Manufacturers normally provide direction , but it is based on averages . No two situations are alike , so user will want to count their urine custom .
A water bullet ’s FHR is how much hot water it can provide in an hour when starting with a tank full of raging water . This is particularly important at peak usage times when user do n’t have time to wait . Keep in mind that the sizing of the storage tank is not necessarily an exact predictor of FHR . For instance , several model we researched had an FHR high than the existent tank electrical capacity . In hard-nosed terms , this mean the armored combat vehicle could be completely discharge and refill in under an 60 minutes . This information should seem on the EnergyGuide recording label command by U.S. law for all piss heaters .
Energy Efficiency
Heat pump water heaters can be significantly more vitality efficient than traditional model , and thanks to U.S. governing requirements , it ’s possible to limit the actual efficiency of each model . Since 2017 , all weewee heaters deal in the United States must signal a UEF .
Several criteria , let in actual mental ability , energy use of goods and services , and FHR , are used to calculate overall push efficiency , and the gamey the turn , the good . Our enquiry compared several traditional and heat pump water heaters : The traditional models were all blue than 1.0 , whereas the warmth ticker H2O heaters were all higher than 3.0 .
Installation and Noise
thoroughgoing warmth pump water heaters need infinite around them from which to draw air , and this necessary impacts where users can instal them . This may not be a job for those looking for a commercial heat pump water warmer , but many of these models are n’t commend for closets , for example . The flip side is that if they can be installed in an unfastened space near a furnace where there is a plentiful supply of tender aura , they will apply even less energy than normal . Heating and cooling expert Wortsmith agree : “ Heat pump water heaters work more efficiently in humid area . The air check more high temperature DOE due to the presence of moisture . warmth pumps can extract this heat energy more easily and expeditiously , leading to better operation . ”
Split heating system pump water heaters have indoor and out-of-door unit , so this character of installation is different , although there ’s much greater tractableness when pose the indoor unit . Hybrid heat pump water heater can switch between heat pump and traditional performance . While this does make installation easier , the efficiency drops in traditional musical mode .
Heat pump urine heater stochasticity is typically minimal . They are usually very quiet — under 50 dB — so they can often be installed near living rooms and bedrooms without kerfuffle .
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The Advantages of Owning a Heat Pump Water Heater
Although heat ticker body of water warmer may seem like a fairly late invention , the theme of estrus exchange systems has been around for more than 100 old age : Developing a heat ticker for H2O heater function dates back to the thirties . Potential purchaser can be confident they are investing in well - proven engineering . Here are the main advantages of possess a heat heart body of water heater :
FAQs
This guide curb a luck of useful information , much of it specific to particular role model or emptor choice . During our research , we found a few interrogation of a more general nature that crop up on a regular basis . Read on to find the answer to these ofttimes asked questions .
Q. How does a heat pump water heater work?
A heating pump water supply heater works by extracting warmth from the outside air and using it to warm up the water . According toEnergy.gov , it operates much like a icebox but in reverse .
Q. Do heat pump water heaters work in cold climates?
Heat pump water supply fastball do work in cold clime , but some models are better than others . complete warmth pump water heater procedure at their sound when the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit . They will work below this temperature , but not as efficiently . Hybrid model can switch to electric performance if it gets too cold . Split heating plant heart water supply heaters that have an outdoor compressor continue to work at temperatures as depressed as -25 degrees Fahrenheit .
Q. What are the disadvantages of a heat pump water heater?
The primary disadvantage of a heat heart water heater is often see as the initial price . However , harmonize to government figures , models that meet Energy Star credential ( and almost all do ) declare oneself considerable saving over time .
Another potential disadvantage is that some simulation require reasonable air space to function most efficiently , so they are n’t always recommended for humble home . Additionally , they may heat water more slow than some traditional electric pee heater .
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