If you have started to do any research on heat pump water heaters, or read heat pump water heater reviews, you might already know that these ultra-efficient water heaters can keep your showers hot and your clothes and hands clean, while reducing your water heating related costs by an average of $3,500 over their lifespan.
However, a heat pump water heater is dependent on the heat already in your home, so will a heat pump water heater work for homeowners here in the Marin, Alameda, and Contra Costa county climate?
How a Heat Pump Water Heater Works
A more traditional water heater creates the heat it needs to bring the water in the tank up to temperature. As the water warms, it rises to the top of the tank, and is then replaced by colder water. After all of the water has reached the correct temperature, the heating element shuts off (the heating element can be electric resistance, or combustion based).
The process of a heat pump water heater is the same, with one exception: a heat pump water heater does not create any heat — it repurposes existing heat. Heat pump technology absorbs the ambient heat in the air, and uses it to give the heating element a head start. This process uses two to three times less energy than more standard electric water heaters.
Do Heat Pump Water Heaters Work in the East Bay Climate?
In order to operate efficiently, heat pump water heaters need to be installed in an area where the temperature stays above 37ºF, all year round. Since the lowest outside temperature recorded in El Cerrito was 30ºF, it is safe to presume that any area inside your home will maintain a temperature higher than 37ºF.
Heat pump water heaters should be installed in an area with plenty of open space, just like more traditional water heaters. The garage or basement is most often the best place to install a heat pump water heater, because it is a semi-conditioned space, allowing your heat pump water heater to recycle the heat from your furnace or boiler. Plus, a heat pump water heater will cool down the area it is installed in (since it is absorbing the heat of that space), which does not usually present a problem for garages and basements.
So, Is a Heat Pump Water Heater Right for You?
The first question to ask yourself when considering a heat pump water heater is: Is your current water heater on its way out? If it is time to replace anyway, why not consider a more energy efficient method of water heating? Secondly, is your current water heater in an area of the home that is ideal for heat pump water heaters? And third, what fuel does your current water heater utilize? Is it electric resistance, natural gas, or propane? This may determine how much you stand to save from heat pump water heater installation.
With a heat pump water heater professional installed by the experts at Hassler Services, you can experience:
Consistent hot water throughout your home
Greater energy savings all year
Reduced carbon footprint
Longer warranty than traditional water heaters
Save On The Cost of Heat Pump Water Heater Installation
Are you considering a heat pump water heat for your home? Make sure you know about all the potential installation savings available through multiple rebates and incentive programs! You could save up to:
$1,150 from the BayRen Home + Upgrade
$1,000 (standard) or $2,000 (For income qualified residents) from Electrify Marin
$1,500 from Alameda Electric (AMP’s Rebate)
BayREN Heat Pump Water Heater Contractor Incentive Program ($1,000 paid to the contractor for installing a qualified heat pump water heater) This can be used as an instant credit toward the cost of the unit). *Must be enrolled with a participating Community Choice Aggregation or Municipal Utility i.e. East Bay Community Energy or MCE. Confirmed enrolment by PG&E bill.
Depending on your city, we can combine multiple rebates for significant savings on your installation costs, meaning you can start enjoying worry-free financial benefits from reducing your energy bill!
