As experts in home comfort, Craftsman Plumbing stays up-to-date with emerging technology and its potential benefits for California homeowners. 

One product on our radar is the heat pump water heater (HPWH), also known as a hybrid water heater. 

ENERGY STAR® shipment data indicates the residential heat pump water heater market experienced 26 percent growth in 2022. Environment America Research & Policy Center, an environmental advocacy organization, notes 190,000 heat pump water heaters were shipped in the U.S. in 2023, a 35 percent increase over 2022. 

Why are heat pump water heaters gaining traction, and could this technology be the smartest upgrade for your San Diego, CA, home?

As your trusted water heater installers, we’re here to give you expert insight on why heat pump technology is quickly becoming the new standard for hot water heating. 

How Heat Pump Water Heaters Work

The difference between a heat pump water heater and a standard unit, whether gas or electric resistance, is that the heat pump doesn’t generate heat; it moves it. A heat pump water heater uses refrigerant to transfer heat from the surrounding air in your basement, utility room, garage, or wherever you install the unit. 

Here’s how it works: A fan pulls room air into the heat pump. Refrigerant inside the heat pump absorbs heat energy via an evaporator coil. A compressor in the heat pump concentrates the heat and transfers it at a higher temperature to the water in the storage tank via a condenser coil. 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), a heat pump water heater is two to three times more energy-efficient than a standard electric resistance heater because it transfers existing heat rather than generating it. 

Heat Pump Water Heater Advantages

Energy savings and equipment efficiency are the major reasons why heat pump water heaters are gaining in popularity. 

Although it is priced higher than a conventional unit, the operating savings from a heat pump water heater are substantial. An ENERGY STAR^® certified heat pump water heater can save a four-person household $550 per year on electric bills compared to a conventional electric water heater. 

Heat pumps typically feature four operating modes. They save the most energy when they are in heat pump mode. However, they take longer to recover hot water than when in hybrid or economy mode, which uses both heat pump and electric resistance heating. 

Most units also have a resistance-only mode, which is used as a backup and does not save energy. With the vacation setting, the unit is idle for a specified time period unless the tank temperature drops below the manufacturer’s set point. 

Another benefit of the heat pump water heater is its ability to cool and dehumidify the surrounding space. Installing a unit in a warm, damp basement or utility room improves the air quality by acting as a bonus dehumidifier.

Installing a Heat Pump Water Heater in San Diego, CA

Integrated storage tank systems are the most common type of residential heat pump water heater available in the U.S. today. The heat pump mounts on top of the vertical water storage tank. These tank-style heaters are installed indoors and designed to store a large volume of pre-heated water.

Split systems are also available. These units use an indoor storage tank connected by refrigerant lines to an outdoor compressor unit. They are best for homes with limited interior space, but are more complex to install.

Do HPWHs Use a Standard Outlet?

Historically, most heat pump water heaters used a dedicated 240-volt electrical circuit, which made replacing a gas water heater expensive if the installation required wiring changes.

However, new models that operate on 120 volts and plug into a standard household outlet are now available. This makes the conversion from an existing gas water heater much faster and less expensive, saving homeowners thousands of dollars in electrical work.

Is a HPWH Right for Me?

Heat pump water heaters are more efficient than standard water heaters and can help you save money on your utility bills. However, they aren’t ideal for every homeowner. Here’s why: 

• Upfront Cost: The purchase price is significantly higher than that of a conventional model.
• Space Requirements: Integrated units need 1,000 cubic feet of air space around them to draw heat efficiently. You can’t install one in a small closet without proper ducting and ventilation. 
• Noise: Heat pump water heaters feature a fan and compressor, which makes them slightly louder than traditional water heaters.

Homes with a utility room, garage, or large basement that remains within the ideal operating temperature range of 40°F to 90°F are the perfect candidates for a heat pump water heater. 

Upgrade to a Heat Pump Water Heater

Let our expert team at Craftsman Plumbing replace the natural gas or electric resistance water heater in your San Diego, CA, home with a high-efficiency heat pump water heater. You will love the energy savings, lower utility bills, and reliability. Get started with a consultation by calling us at 619-704-7585 or request service online.