What to Look for When Choosing a Heat Pump Water Heater

What to Look for When Choosing a Heat Pump Water Heater

• Choose an Efficient Product. The energy efficiency of heat pump water heaters is rated in UEF (uniform energy factor). The higher the numbers are, the more energy-efficient the system is. Generally, you would want to look for a product with a UEF of 3.0 or higher.
• Sizing Your Water Heater. Heat pump water heaters have a lower “first-hour rating” than their gas counterparts, so you’ll want to work with your contractor to size the water heater for your needs and not just replace your gas water heater with a heat pump water heater of the same size. Sonoma Clean Power generally recommends an 80-gallon model if your space can fit it. That way you can have maximum impact with our GridSavvy Community program for heat pump water heaters.
• Choose a Space that Works. Because they harvest a portion of heat from their surroundings, heat pump water heaters will slightly cool the space they are installed in. This can be an asset for a space like a garage, but may not be as nice if you are installing the water heater in your living space. Heat pump water heaters also will need an electrical connection (typical 220 volt), access to a drain, and ample installation space (typically about 1,000 cubic feet, varies by product).
• Consider Recirculation Pump Controls. Heat pump water heaters work best with incoming cold water temperature. If you have a recirculation pump that circulates water throughout your home, consider a timer or control to limit the run time of the pump to only when you need it.
• Increase Your Carbon Savings with GridSavvy. Participants in the GridSavvy Community can earn an additional $5/month in bill credits when they connect their heat pump water heater to the program.
• Heat Pump Water Heaters may be eligible for up to a 30% tax credit! Check with your local tax professional to learn more.