A.O. Smith Review: Heat Pump Water Heaters

As one of the leading manufacturers of water heaters, A.O. Smith offers homeowners several options for water heating systems. One of those alternatives is heat pump water heaters. With multiple brands to select from, we have an A.O. Smith review to learn more about their line of heat pump water heaters.

For over 15 years and counting, Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric has kept up with the latest heat pump water heating technology innovations. Throughout that time, we’ve worked and received training from some of the top brands producing heat pump water heaters, including A.O. Smith. We’re here to provide an insider look at A.O. Smith’s heat pump water heaters so you can determine if these heat pump water heaters suit your home.

Our review will look at the following key points, such as:

• Cost
• Efficiency
• Warranty
• Variety
• Additional features

At the end of this review, you will get a clearer understanding of A.O. Smith’s line of heat pump water heaters. This information can help you decide whether this specific brand of heat pump water heaters is right for your home’s hot water demands.

Let’s jump right into the pricing for heat pump water heaters for our A.O. Smith review.

How Much Do A.O. Smith’s Heat Pump Water Heaters Cost?

• The A.O. Smith heat pump costs several thousand dollars without installation
• A.O. Smith’s heat pump water heater can cost between $5,200 to $10,800 with installation and $1,900 to $4,900 without installation
• Los Angeles homeowners qualify for rebates and tax credits

A.O. Smith’s heat pump water heaters can cost more than most tankless and traditional water heaters. However, A.O. Smith’s line of heat pump water heaters is priced a little lower than other heat pump water heater manufacturers.

Their lower price compared to other competitors doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a low-quality heat pump water heater. A.O. Smith’s Proline XE Voltex electric heat pump water heater series boasts a line of reliable water heaters.

The company does not list any pricing information, so finding information on the cost of one of their heat pump water heaters can be difficult. Instead of listing pricing, A.O. Smith encourages homeowners to contact a certified technician who can also provide pricing and installation.

To help offset the cost, A.O. Smith provides helpful information for Los Angeles homeowners on eligible rebates and tax credits for each of their heat pump water heaters. The rebates can range from $2,000 to $5,100, depending on the specific heat pump water heater.

After reviewing pricing, the next factor to examine is A.O. Smith’s heat pump water heater warranty.

What to Expect From an A.O. Smith Heat Pump Water Heater Warranty?

• 10-year warranty on the heat pump water heater tank and parts
• Warranty terms effective from the date of purchase

When it comes to warranty, A.O. Smith’s heat pump water heaters provide similar coverage to other manufacturers. A.O. Smith provides labor or service for the first year to replace any defective part or tank through an authorized technician.

With each installation, A.O. Smith provides a warranty booklet for the homeowner to review. The warranty information for their heat pump water heaters can also be found on their website.

The only part of the heat pump water heater excluded from the warranty is the sacrificial anode rods. These components help attract sediment to reduce it from building up inside the tank.

Because of the many conditions and exceptions under warranty, A.O. Smith requires professional installation instead of homeowners installing it on their own. This helps avoid any voided warranties.

A.O. Smith’s warranty terms for heat pump water heaters are pretty straightforward, so homeowners can continue to take advantage of their units’ excellent energy efficiency.

A.O. Smith Heat Pump Water Heater Efficiency

• Reduces water heating costs by up to 74%
• Up to 3.45 Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) rating
• Annual energy cost savings of up to $579
• Energy Star certified

The main reason why A.O. Smith heat pump water heaters are highly sought after is their environmentally friendly design. Whereas tank-style and tankless water heaters rely on a combination of electricity and gas to heat water, A.O. Smith’s heat pump water heaters use heat pump technology.

These water heaters absorb the hot ambient temperature and use a refrigerant to separate the heat and warm the water to the desired temperature. By cutting down on energy consumption, A.O. Smith’s heat pump water heaters are able to achieve three to five times more energy efficiency than traditional and tankless water heaters.

The energy efficiency of A.O. Smith’s heat pump water heaters applies to all of their heat pump water heaters, which we will touch on in the following section of our A.O. Smith review.

What Are the Different A.O. Smith Heat Pump Water Heaters Available?

A.O. Smith has various heat pump water heaters available to meet homes’ different hot water demands. Their heat pump water heaters are available in the following capacities.

• 50 gallons
• 66 gallons
• 80 gallons

The recommended heat pump water heater depends on the size of the home, the number of fixtures, and average hot water usage. Working with a technician ensures that your home has the correct sizing for all hot water needs.

Since heat pump water heaters are powered by electricity, they require a 240 volts, 30-amp circuit. As an alternative, A.O. Smith has a 120v plug-in heat pump water heater for spaces with limited amperage.

The plug-in heat pump water heater is just one of the many different features A.O. Smith offers homeowners.

A.O. Smith Heat Pump Water Heater Additional Features

Heat pump water heaters from A.O. Smith have additional features to help them stand out from the competition. Here’s additional information on these features.

• Whisper-quiet operation: This feature is available with the 120v plug-in heat pump water heater. The feature helps minimize any noise caused by the vibration in the water heater. It can keep the noise level at 45 decibels.
• Leak protection technology: These heat pump water heaters have a built-in sensor that alerts the homeowners of a leak. The water shutoff valve will automatically close when the leak is detected.
• Friendly interface: The user interface on the heat pump water heater makes it easy to operate between different modes, such as efficiency, hybrid, electric, and vacation modes. It also makes it simple to adjust water temperature.
• iCOMM smart connectivity: A.O. Smith’s heat pump water heaters are compatible with their app. Homeowners can connect their heat pump water heater to the app to receive, view alerts, and adjust the water temperature.

The heat pump water heater’s manual goes in-depth with the other features available with A.O. Smith heat pump water heaters.

Is an A.O. Smith Heat Pump Water Heater Worth It?

Heat pump water heaters are growing in demand as California increases efforts to implement more eco-friendly fixtures in homes. A.O. Smith is one of the few brands offering homeowners heat pump water heaters that are environmentally friendly. Now that you know the different features associated with their heat pump water heaters, you can weigh whether A.O. Smith heat pump water heaters are suitable for your home.

Since 2007, we’ve seen how heat pump water heaters were introduced and have gone through changes to meet the growing demands for energy-efficient water heaters. We’ve helped homeowners in Los Angeles and the surrounding area understand how these heat pump water heaters work and which brands are industry leaders.

If you have any questions regarding heat pump water heaters, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can book an appointment using our online scheduler, too.

Heat pump water heaters aren’t the only water heating systems available. For other alternatives, check out tankless water heaters and their benefits. By exploring different options, you can narrow your search for the best water heater for your home.