Pros and Cons of Heat Pump Water Heaters

Heat pump water heaters are the latest innovation in the residential water heating market. These water heaters are leading the way in energy-efficient water heaters, but what are the other pros and cons of heat pump water heaters?

At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we work with the best water heater manufacturers to ensure we understand any new developments with water heaters, including heat pump water heaters. For over 15 years, we’ve been using our technical insight to break down the complexities of water heaters so homeowners match their homes with the right water heater to meet their hot water needs.

One way we help homeowners understand water heaters is by listing and comparing their pros and cons. Here’s a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of heat pump water heaters.

Pros:

• Energy efficient
• Durable
• Saves money
• Qualifies for tax rebates

Cons:

• Susceptible to electrical outages
• Higher upfront costs than other water heating options
• Not as efficient in cold weather

We’ll break down each pro and con so that at the end of this article, you will feel more confident in deciding whether or not a heat pump water heater is the ideal solution for your home’s hot water demands.

Let’s get started!

What Are the Pros of Heat Pump Water Heaters?

The main advantages of heat pump water heaters are their high energy efficiency, durability, ability to save money, and the incentives available to homeowners in California.

(A heat pump water heater from Rheem.)

Like all water heaters, heat pump water heaters are designed to provide hot water. Still, it’s how heat pump water heaters work that makes them stand out from other water heating options.

Their water heating design leads to their first advantage: they are highly energy efficient.

Heat Pump Water Heaters Are Highly Efficient

Heat pump water heaters provide the highest energy efficiency of water heating systems, including conventional and tankless water heaters. In terms of energy efficiency ratings, heat pump water heaters have a UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) rating of 4.07, the highest rating currently available among all residential water heaters.

To help homeowners compare water heating systems, the Department of Energy established a rating system based on the energy efficiency of water heaters. Heat pump water heaters have a high rating due to their ability to take in the surrounding air, separate the heat from it, and then transfer that heat to water.

These water heaters run solely on electricity and are considered more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient than natural gas. By using electricity to essentially transfer the heat from the surrounding area and use it to heat water, heat pump water heaters use up less energy than other water heaters. Thanks to their heat pump technology, these water heaters are four times more efficient than electric tankless water heaters.

Heat Pump Water Heaters Are Durable

Heat pump water heaters are designed to be durable and have a lifespan of 13 to 15 years. With annual maintenance, heat pump water heaters can last over 15 years in some cases.

The internal and external components of heat pump water heaters are meant to last a long time but are more likely to run into problems if there’s a lack of maintenance. Maintenance helps ensure the longevity of a heat pump water heater.

Investing in maintenance also helps protect your heat pump water heater so that it can continue to save you money.

Heat Pump Water Heaters Can Save Money

Homeowners may save up to thousands of dollars in energy savings at the end of the heat pump water heater’s lifespan. These water heaters can help homeowners save money on their energy bills thanks to their energy efficiency.

Within the first year of owning a heat pump water heater, homeowners can save a few hundred dollars. These money-saving opportunities with heat pump water heaters are also available as special rebates.

Heat Pump Water Heaters Qualify for Special Rebates

Heat pump water heaters have special qualifying incentives for homeowners in Los Angeles and the neighboring areas who switch to heat pump technology. Thanks to their positive environmental impact, homeowners can apply for special rebates and tax credits that can save them up to $2,000.

The special rebate and tax credit can help offload the upfront cost of a heat pump water heater. Not all homeowners who purchase a heat pump water heater will qualify, so it’s best to confirm if any conditions must be met to qualify.

What Are the Cons of Heat Pump Water Heaters?

Although highly advantageous when it comes to energy efficiency and savings, heat pump water heaters have a few downsides that should be considered. Heat pump water heaters do not require natural gas, but their reliance on electricity can be regarded as a con under certain circumstances.

Heat Pump Water Heaters Are Affected by Electrical Outages

Heat pump water heaters heavily depend on electricity and will not work if there’s an electrical outage or power overload. An outage can randomly happen and leave a home without hot water.

Almost all heat pump water heater models require a circuit with 240 volts. If the electrical circuit where a heat pump water heater is connected is overloaded with power, it can cause an outage. Whereas gas-powered water heaters can still heat water in an outage, heat pump water heaters are inoperable until there is an electrical power source again.

Electrical outages don’t last longer than a few hours sometimes, and it can be hard to predict when they occur. Homeowners may not know when there will be an outage, but they can prepare for the high upfront cost of a heat pump water heater.

Higher Upfront Costs

Heat pump water heaters have a higher upfront cost than other water heaters, such as conventional and tankless. Their $9,500 to $13,000 range may not be within some homeowners’ budgets.

The price includes installation, but other factors can impact the cost, too. Brand name, water heater size, and modifications are just some of the different things that affect the final cost of a heat pump water heater.

Before investing in a heat pump water heater, homeowners should consider what the weather conditions are like in their homes. If a person lives in a generally cold environment, there may be better choices than a heat pump water heater for water heating.

Heat Pump Water Heaters Are Not as Efficient in Cold Weather

Heat pump water heaters pull heat from the ambient temperature and cannot draw any hot air if the temperature is too cold. On average, most heat pump water heaters operate best in areas where the air temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

If the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, heat pump water heaters have electrical heating elements that can heat water to a preset temperature. Most areas in Los Angeles and the surrounding communities don’t have consecutive days of below 40 degrees of temperature. But in the areas that do, a heat pump water heater may not be a suitable choice for a water heating system.

Is It Worth Getting a Heat Pump Water Heater?

Heat pump water heaters are tremendously energy efficient, but that’s not their only advantage. Now that you understand the pros and cons of heat pump water heaters, you can weigh the good and bad to determine if this water heater system is right for you.

Since 2007, we have seen an increase in different water heating options, such as heat pump water heaters, and have helped homeowners understand how these units work. At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, our technicians receive exclusive training sessions with the top brands that offer heat pump water heaters. We combine our hands-on training with field experience to ensure homeowners have a water heater that meets their home’s hot water demands.

For more information on heat pump water heaters, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can book an appointment with a technician through our online scheduler.

If you’re still interested in heat pump water heaters after weighing out their pros and cons, check out this article comparing two of the top brands for heat pump water heaters, A.O. Smith and Rheem.

To explore other water heating options that don’t use heat pump technology, check out this article on how tankless and conventional water heaters compare.