Everything You Need To Know About a Heat Pump Water Heater

Are you in the market for a new hot water system? If you live in an older home, your water heater is one of those appliances that you don't give any thought to until they have broken down. Now you find yourself in a situation that every homeowner with hot water supply dreads – your older hot water unit has finally gone kaput and you don't know where to start your search for the next water heater.

Have you heard about heat pump water heaters? If you're looking for a guide you can use to make an informed purchase decision about this type of hot water system, you've come to the right place.

Here is what you need to know about heat pump water heaters.

What Is a Heat Pump Water Heater, and How Does It Work?

Heat pump water heaters are new, improved versions of traditional electric water heaters. Unlike standard electric water heaters, which rely on an electric element to heat the water directly, this category of water heaters uses an electric heat pump to draw heat from the surrounding air and transfer it, at a higher temperature, into a water storage tank.

Once the heat is dumped into the water tank, an evaporative coil located inside picks up the heat and uses it to heat the water within. 

Why Is a Heat Pump Water Heater Often Called a Hybrid Water Heater? 

One of the stand-out features of heat pump water heaters is they can be operated in multiple modes. When there is a high demand for hot water, this category of water heaters will automatically operate like typical electric-resistance water heaters. This explains why they are often referred to as "hybrid" water heaters. 

The "hybrid" mode is the default setting for heat pump water heaters and the most energy-efficient mode for daily use. Other operating modes available for heat pump water heaters include the efficiency/economy mode, the electric/heater mode and the sleep mode.

How Much Does Heat Pump Water Heater Installation Cost?

The cost of buying and installing a heat pump hot water heater is generally a little more expensive than a traditional electric water heater. This higher initial cost, however, is off-set by the more energy-efficient style of operation.

If you are looking to make a hot water system changeover that will give you great value for your money, consider investing in a heat pump hot water heater. For further information about this type of water heater, talk to a hot water system expert near you today.