Heat Pump Water Heaters Pros and Cons
Are you
considering purchasing a heat pump water heater for your home? If your water
heater is in need of repair or even replacement, you may have considered a heat
pump water heater as one of the many options available for you and your home.
Leomon
has put together this complete guide to heat pump water heaters and everything
you need to know when making your decision.
About
heat pump water heaters
how it
works
Many homeowners
may overlook the importance of a good water heater and the prohibitively high
price of water heaters. The average family spends $400 to $600 a year for the
luxury of hot showers and warm water. Part of the reason for this price is the
inefficiency of traditional water heaters. They can account for up to 20% of
your entire utility bill. That's why many homeowners are turning to heat pump
water heaters and other energy-saving products.
Before
you decide to buy a heat pump water heater, you should understand how they
work. While most water heaters rely on gas or electricity to generate heat,
heat pump water heaters are different - in fact, these pumps do not directly
generate any heat. Instead, they absorb heat from the air and transfer it to
the device's storage tank. This process is how a refrigerator works, but it's
the opposite with a heat pump water heater, where the refrigerator expels hot
air. Because they breathe hot air, this makes them perfect for predominantly
warm climates like Louisiana!
Pros and
cons
Advantages:
Heat pump water heaters are more efficient
Because
they absorb heat from the air, these water heaters don't have to generate new
heat. Instead, this heat comes from anywhere in the air, even waste heat from
nearby furnaces. As a result, they're incredibly energy efficient compared to
traditional models, meaning they can save you hundreds of dollars a year on
your energy bill, and they're durable - a good, well-maintained heater will
last Ten to fifteen years.
Disadvantages:
Higher upfront cost
These
water heaters can cost twice as much as other models, which can be a setback
for those on a tight budget. The upfront cost is approximately $2,100 to
$3,300, not including installation. While these heaters can still save you
money on annual energy costs over time, the initial price is enough to put it
out of some buyers' budgets.
Pros:
Eco-friendly and family-friendly
Since
heat pump water heaters do not produce heat, there are no gas leaks and no
toxic emissions. Additionally, the unit itself doesn't get too hot outside,
making it a safer option for homes with pets or children.
Research
shows that if all residential electric water heaters were replaced with heat
pump water heaters, annual energy cost savings would jump to $12 billion and
greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by 140 billion pounds annually. This
is equivalent to the emissions of 13 million cars, more than the entire
population of Los Angeles.
Cons:
Can be difficult in cold climates
Heat
pump water heaters draw heat from the air, so when there is plenty of warm air
(such as in the summer), there is no problem. However, during cold winter
months this may take more time. Unless it's a hybrid model that includes an
electric option, you have to give it time for your pump model to recover.
However, this isn't as much of an issue in subtropical climates like the
southern United States, where there's plenty of warm air nearly year-round.
Pros:
Heat pumps last longer than traditional units
A
conventional water heater typically has a lifespan of about 8-12 years.
However, if well maintained, a heat pump water heater can last 10-15 years.
Cons:
Heat pump water heaters take longer to heat water
Heat
pump water heaters do take longer to heat water than traditional water heaters.
The reason it takes longer is that heat pump systems operate at lower
temperatures than gas furnaces and electric resistance systems. It's also
important to note that because of this, heat pumps really struggle to provide
hot water during times of high demand, such as in the morning when everyone
wants to take a shower.
Pros:
Tax incentives and rebates
Starting
in 2023, some heat pump water heaters may be eligible for tax incentives and
rebates. The energy-efficient home improvement credit will now be equal to 30
percent of the total cost of eligible products, up to a maximum of $1,200 per
year. Alternatively, it can be purchased for up to $2,000 per year for heat
pump water heaters and heat pump space heaters.
Cons:
Not suitable for smaller homes
Smaller
homes may not have enough space to install a heat pump water heater due to a
lack of space for a condensate drain or pump. Heat pumps absorb heat from the
air and therefore require space for the unit to operate properly. For it to
perform optimally, the minimum space required is about 750-1,000 cubic feet or
21.24-28.32 cubic meters, which is about the size of a small bedroom or
slightly larger. To have a heat pump water heater, you will also need a ceiling
height of at least 7 feet. Unless you have a dedicated room, basement, or extra
space to house this device, it's best to choose something else.
Other
options
1.
Instant water heater:
This is
an increasingly popular option for those who want to be more energy efficient
without incurring high upfront costs. Rather than storing hot water in a large
tank like most options, tankless water heaters heat the water on demand, so
it's only available on demand. The advantages of a tankless water heater are
that the smaller unit requires less storage space and is more energy efficient,
so you save on energy bills. This option is ideal for smaller homes or spaces
or smaller households that don’t need regular access to hot water.
2. Solar
water heater:
Solar
water heaters harness the sun's energy, using roof-mounted solar panels to
transfer energy directly to the water heater to heat water. These have many
advantages, including saving on energy bills, offering tax credits in certain
areas, and being environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, solar energy is unreliable
because it requires regular exposure to sunlight. You can still collect solar
energy on cloudy days, but a lack of sunlight for several consecutive days will
negatively affect the heater's efficiency. Solar power is a great option for
some homes, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.
3.
Traditional water heater:
Among
the most popular water heater options, traditional water heaters are a design
that hasn’t gone out of style yet. Typically, these heaters have a large
insulated water tank heated by a heat source, usually a gas flame. These
heaters are generally very cheap compared to alternatives, effective in all
climates, and easy to repair due to their simple design. This design has two
disadvantages that leave room for heater innovation; however: they take up a
lot of space and waste a lot of energy. Additionally, such designs often
require the use of natural gas, which may not be available in some areas or
expensive in others.
How to
extend the life of your heater
When you are spending a lot of money on a water heater, it is in your best interest to take the necessary steps to extend
the life of your water heater as much as possible to avoid purchasing a new
one.
1. Invest in a quality heater.
The best
way to ensure your water heater is worth your money is to invest in a quality
water heater. If you're on the market for the cheapest water heater, chances
are you'll get what you pay for, but will end up needing to buy a new water
heater first.
2. Maintain your heater regularly.
As with
any home appliance, you should perform regular maintenance on your heater.
These heaters should be serviced by a plumbing professional at least once a
year. This is to ensure the service life of the heater and the quality of the
hot water. Goodbee Plumbing offers many different services to meet all your
plumbing needs.
3. Use cold water whenever possible.
This may
seem obvious, but a great way to extend the life of your water heater is to use
it less frequently. You never have to be without hot water for showers, sinks
or otherwise - instead, wash clothes in cold water whenever possible, and
consider using a stove to heat water for cooking-related purposes.
4. Install the timer.
Water
heaters often last all day, which can waste electricity. Instead, consider
hiring a professional plumber to install a timer on your water heater so that
it only heats water during periods of use. A timer, if used effectively, can
extend the life of any heater.
5. Add expansion tank:
Water
expands when heated, and if the water has nowhere to go, the internal pressure
will rise. An expansion tank attracts large amounts of water and reduces the
pressure, eliminating the chance of a heater blowout or failure.
6. Check the gas pipeline:
If your
water heater is connected to a gas line, check it regularly to make sure there
aren't any cracks, rust, or leaks. If there are any signs of damage, contact
your plumber as soon as possible.
7. Install the water softener:
If your
water supply has high levels of calcium and magnesium, you may have hard water
and your home's water can affect your heater. Hard water can cause sediment
buildup and shorten the life of your equipment. You can install a water
softener to fold our minerals and extend the life of your heater. If your tap
water tastes bad and you're not sure what to do, check out our blog on the
subject.
8. Take advantage of vacation mode:
When
you're out of town, use the Vacation Mode feature to lower the water
temperature so you don't expend energy heating water that's not in use. Your
heater and wallet will thank you! If your heater doesn't have a holiday mode,
you can still set it to a lower temperature.
When to
buy a new heater
Water
heaters are an important part of your home comfort system. If your heater
fails, you should work on it as soon as possible. Leomon will always provide
honest advice on whether you need a new water heater or water heater repair.
There are many signs that you may need a new heater, including:
1. Your
heater is over ten years old and has not been properly maintained.
2. You
lack hot water
3. The
hot water runs out quickly
4. The
water has a metallic smell or taste
5. Big
temperature differences – too hot or too cold
6. The
water is rust-colored
7.
Strange noises, including pops, cracks or crashes
8. Water
leaks from the water tank
It's
important to pay attention to your water heater because if a problem arises,
you must act quickly to prevent a crisis.
Get the heat
pump water heater that's right for you
If you need to replace your heat pump water heater, please contact us. Our heat pump experts will give you the best advice within 24 hours.
