We asked Chris from our Customer Energy Solutions team and here’s what he had to say.
Great question. Nearly one-fifth of your household’s energy use goes towards heating water, so water heaters are a great place to look for savings. The good news: heat pump water heaters (also called hybrid water heaters) are up to four times more efficient and use 70% less energy than standard gas or electric water heaters. This is because heat pump water heaters pull heat from the surrounding air to heat water, rather than rely on electricity or gas – the same basic technology heat pumps use to warm or a cool a space.
ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump water heaters can save a household of four approximately $470 per year on its electric bills compared to a standard electric water heater and move than $4,500 over its 10-year lifetime. Larger families that typically use more hot water will save even more. Heat pump water heater installation may be more expensive than an electric or tankless water heater, but the energy savings are so high they usually pay for themselves in a few years.
While heat pump water heaters look and act like regular water heaters, they also offer other benefits beyond savings:
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They typically have large tanks that can store plenty of hot water, so it’s ready when you need it.
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Warranties are longer than standard electric water heaters (10 years vs. 6 years).
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There are often multiple settings and programmable options, such as “vacation mode” that help you save energy when you’re away.
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They can help dehumidify the area while they heat water.
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Since hot water is being generated without burning fuel inside, they are cleaner and safer for your home and can help lower carbon emissions.
GoGreen Financing can help you update your home with a heat pump water heater, as well as other energy efficient improvements that can lower bills and increase comfort. Explore Golden State Rebates for money-saving coupons on energy efficient products, including heat pump water heaters.
Chris has been working in residential Energy Efficiency for the past 2 years. He has a passion for helping customers understand the impacts of energy usage.
