Anyone have a heat pump water heater?

[Zorro]

Thinking about changing out our current gas water heater in the near future, and would like to know if anyone has any experiences they'd like to share.

I'm in Southern California, so the garage temperature should be sufficiently warm enough throughout the year to prevent having to use auxiliary heat to keep the water hot.

[PumpkinAle]

1. You should be okay in S. CA

we looked but we are too cold where we are - N. NV. We talked to an HVAC guy who was totally independent and gave us good info. Ask around you might find someone who you can run your ideas by and who doesn't have a stake in the game.

Good luck!

[Curmudgeoness]

2. I did look into it a few years ago when I replaced my gas water heater.

The cost of doing it was quite a bit more than just replacing what I had. I don't know the price difference in your area, and I don't know the price of your gas, but my gas bills are negligible in the summer when I figure all I am using is heating water and cooking. It would have taken me forever to recoup the extra cost in gas savings....longer than the life of the heat pump.

To be fair, I am in an area where heat pumps are not as efficient part of the year, so it may be different in S Cal. I would just try to determine the additional cost of the heat pump and compare it to the cost of your gas. You will see if there is value in going that route.

[mackdaddy]

3. Since you have gas now I would stick to that. If you were using electricity, Heat pump type maybe

Another post on this group shows a graph comparing heating prices for different fuels, and this (in general) applies to heating water too.

Right now natural gas is hard to beat, especially when compared to standard resistive element type water heaters. Close to only a quarter the cost of heating with resistive electricity. But running a heatpump type water heater would be much more efficient than resistive, up to very close to the gas cost of operation. But the upfront cost is so high right now, not much if any advantage over natural gas. The heat pump may be more prone to needing maintenance too.

Most of the heat pump type water heaters take head out of the inside of your house and concentrate it in the water tank. This is fine if you are where you need to cool your house anyway, but if you are in the north, some of the heat you put into you home is being sucked back and put into the water.

[sendero]

4. I didn't know ....

...these were available. After doing research I think one of these would be ideal for my situation. Installation hassles notwithstanding, but I think in my case they can be overcome.

Thanks for mentioning them.

[Kaleva]

5. I live in Upper Michigan and I have one in the big house.

I would have preferred a basic LP gas water heater but I didn't have a way to vent it unless I went with an expensive high efficient model. what sold me on getting the heat pump water heater was that it also acted as a de-humidifier and the basement, where the water heater is located, is no longer damp or musty smelling as it used to be. It's surprising how much condensate water the heat pump will produce during the hot, humid days in summer.