Next time you need to replace your hot water heater, consider using a heat pump version. They’re greener and more efficient than conventional hot water heaters, and they could save you money! Take advantage of generous state incentives and new federal tax credit.
What is a heat pump hot water heater? Heat pump water heaters work by extracting heat from the air and transferring it. Because they transfer heat instead of generating it, they are highly efficient.
Better efficiency=savings. Heat pump water heaters are three times more efficient than conventional electric water heaters. They are also less expensive to run than oil or propane water heaters. Even if you currently heat your water with natural gas, a heat pump hot water heater would probably still save you money.
State and Federal Incentives. Take advantage of a new Federal tax credit of $2,000 beginning in 2023 and $750 Massachusetts rebates
Little or no greenhouse gas emissions. A heat pump water heater can run totally fossil free if you use 100% renewable green electricty.
Extra bonus: continuous dehumidifying. A heat pump water heater will dehumidify whatever space it is in, much as air conditioning does. This reduces the need to run a dehumidifier in your basement, saving energy and money.
Remote monitoring. Some heat pump water heaters have wifi capability built in. You can monitor performance, change temperature, set the unit to vacation mode, or even receive a text alert on your smartphone if there is a problem with the system.
Leak detection. Another feature available with some heat pump water heaters is automatic leak detection. If a leak is sensed, a local alarm will sound and you will be sent a text message. The best models can detect leaks not only in the water heater itself, but anywhere in the water supply to your home. Cold water input is then automatically shut off to help prevent water damage to your living space.
Get help from our heat pump coaches. Our local volunteer heat pumps coaches can help you explore options. Request a coach.
Heat pump water heaters work just like your refrigerator, only in reverse. Instead of removing heat from the appliance and expelling it into the room, they move heat from the room into the hot water tank. Many heat pump water heaters are “hybrid” and include conventional electric resistance heating elements to provide backup heating when hot water demand is high.
How well do they work?
According to an NRDC study, hybrid heat pump water heaters use less than half the electricity of conventional electric water heaters. Pure heat pump water heaters are even more efficient, using less than a third the electricity. Read the full study here.
Who should use a heat pump water heater?
Homes that use high cost fuels to heat water. A heat pump water heater could be an excellent investment for you if you currently are using a conventional electric, oil, or propane fueled water heater. The savings from replacing a gas water heater with a heat pump water heater will be smaller, due to the currently low price of natural gas, but available incentives and rebates can offset the added upfront cost and reduce payback time. And check out the new Federal incentives.
Homes with a partially finished or unfinished basement with enough space. Heat pump water heaters are a bit taller than most traditional water heaters and need sufficient airflow to operate in heat pump mode. However, they need no exhaust connection to a chimney. They need space around them and should not be located in a small enclosed space unless ducted. They should ideally be placed in an unfinished space (like a basement) in order not to impact your heated living space, as they will lower the temperature of the surrounding space by 5 to 10 degrees F. If you locate it near your (non-heat pump) furnace, a heat pump water heater may be able to take advantage of the wasted heat generated by your furnace.
Homeowners who are concerned about climate change. Hot water production accounts for 13% of total residential energy use, the second highest category after space heating. Currently, over 40% of U.S. households heat their water with inefficient electric resistance water heaters, so making the switch to heat pump water heaters could make a big difference in residential carbon emissions. And it could save a lot of people money, too. See the NRDC’s cost analysis here.
Find out if a heat pump hot water heater is right for your home. Visit Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to request a consultation from a qualified installer.
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