Heat Pump Water Heaters

Heat Pump Water Heaters

You may not often think about exactly how it is the water in your hot water tank is heated. At the end of the day, as long as the water comes out hot, what difference does it make how it works? Unless there was a way you could still have dependable hot water while using half of the energy it takes to heat it.

Traditional water heaters use electricity or combustion to create the heat that is then transferred to the water you use in your sinks, washing machine, dishwasher and showers. But with a heat pump water heater, you can take the excess heat that is already inside of your home’s air and repurpose it to heat the water your home needs!

So, how can that work?

What Makes a Heat Pump Water Heaters Different

Before deciding on installing a heat pump water heater, it's essential to understand how they work. Unlike traditional units that generate heat using gas or electricity, heat pump water heaters are a unique solution. They don't create heat directly; instead, they extract heat from the surrounding air and deliver it to the storage tank. This makes them particularly effective in warmer climates. 

  • With direct coil water heaters, electricity is sent to a heating element inside of a large tank. This heating element stays red-hot until all of the water in the tank has reached the proper temperature. This can make up a large amount of your heating costs.
  • With oil or gas water heaters, fossil fuel is used to heat up the tank. This comes with the risk of releasing harmful byproducts in your living space and has many negative environmental implications.
  • With a heat pump water heater, a fan pulls in the ambient heat that already exists in your home and uses it to heat the condenser coil inside of your hot water tank. This uses much less energy and is two to three times more energy efficient!

Hassler Installs & Services Heat Pump Water Heaters

Heat pump water heaters offer a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly solution for your hot water needs. Understanding their operation and maintenance requirements will help you make the most of this innovative technology. Enjoy the benefits of cost savings, reliable hot water, and reduced environmental impact with a well-maintained heat pump water heater.

California provides the ideal climate for the energy saving benefits of heat pump water heaters. If you live in  Alameda, Contra Costa or Marin counties, you can start to enjoy benefits like:

  • Longer Lifespan: While traditional water heaters typically last 8-12 years, well-maintained heat pump water heaters generally have a lifespan of 10-15 years.
  • Energy Efficiency: Heat pump water heaters use a fraction of the electricity required by traditional electric resistance water heaters, leading to significant annual electricity bill savings. They also have much higher efficiency than gas fired hot water heaters.
  • Solar Compatibility: Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, which powers appliances like heat pump water heaters. An inverter changes this electricity from DC to AC, making it usable by the heat pump. Properly sizing the solar panel system to match heat pump and hot water needs maximizes energy use and reduces grid electricity reliance. Combining solar power with heat pump technology offers cost-effective and sustainable hot water solutions, reducing your carbon footprint for a greener future.
  • Additional Benefits: Many heat pump water heaters offer features such as Wi-Fi control, automated leak detection, and integration for remote monitoring and control. They also contribute to dehumidification in their installation spaces and can be placed in locations suitable for conventional hot water tanks, with slight clearance and air circulation considerations.

Hassler heating now installs and services heat pump water heaters — bringing our combined philosophy of exceeding customer expectations, transparent accountability, and leadership in our workmanship to your California home. When you are ready to ditch your outdated water heater for the energy savings that a heat pump water heater brings, call the pros at Hassler!

Things to Consider when Operating your Heat Pump Water Heater:

  • Patience with Recovery Times: Heat pump water heaters will take longer to heat water compared to traditional systems. They may face recovery limitations during peak demand periods on cold mornings. Installation of a mixing valve (see below) can help alleviate this situation.
  • Sound Considerations: Be mindful of the internal compressor's operation noise and select a suitable location for your heat pump water heater installation.
  • Vacation Mode: Utilize the vacation mode feature to save on energy consumption, benefiting both your water heater and wallet. If your heater lacks this feature, manually lower the temperature.
  • Recirculation: Heat pump water heaters do not work well with whole house recirculation pumps and are not recommended by most manufacturers because of the longer recovery times. This method is inefficient for larger homes as the pump circulates hot water throughout the whole home forcing the water heater to run longer. If you have an area in your home that takes a long time for the water to heat up, it is ideal to install an on-demand pump under the sink to the nearest shower or problem area.
  • Mixing Valve: The safest delivery temperature for hot water to a home is 120 degrees. A mixing valve allows you to heat the water in your water heater to a higher temperature to increase capacity while still delivering it to the house at a safe temperature. Heating water to 130 or 140 degrees and mixing it down to 120 increases capacity significantly and effectively increases the tank size and is a great option if you have space constraints. Let's consider an example of four people taking showers at the same time. With a 50-gallon water heater set to 120 degrees, you may run out of hot water. Increase the temperature to 130 or 140, and you will have the same effective capacity as a larger tank. The ability to turn up the heat is well worth the additional cost. In fact, Hassler will not install a heat pump water heater without a mixing valve, and they are also required to be installed by the various state rebate programs. Mixing valves are a simple and effective means to overcome capacity issues and is cheap insurance against scalding.
  • Regular Maintenance: Schedule annual professional servicing to maintain the longevity and performance of your heat pump water heater.

Make the most out of your home’s energy — with an energy efficient heat pump water heater installed by the pros at Hassler! Call us today at (510) 288-5563 or contact us for a free consultation.

The Hassler Difference

Hassler knows that getting the job done right today will lead to customers being our biggest advocates tomorrow.
  • Exceeding Expectations

    Our philosophy on customer service is to not only meet expectations but to exceed them. Whether it is your home heating and cooling, improving your indoor air quality, or scheduling a home energy assessment, we are committed to over-delivering throughout your entire journey with Hassler.

  • Leadership
    From our newest team member on up to our leadership and ownership, we are committed to producing the highest level of workmanship - all in an efficient manner. We accomplish this through better training, education, planning, and leadership across all the products and services we provide.
  • Accountability

    We are committed to holding ourselves and each other accountable to integrity, customer satisfaction, and peak performance. We are unwavering in our commitment to not only talk about the solution, but to be a part of it.

  • Lasting Relationships
    Developing long lasting relationships is at the core of our organization. When interacting with a customer or team member, we are committed to building mutual trust and respect. Our reputation is the foundation of the company, and at the end of the day, our word is all we have!
  • Growth

    Through a dedication to training, education and leadership, we will continue to grow to remain the leading HVAC and home performance company in Contra Costa, Alameda, and Marin counties. We are continually honing our craft and challenging ourselves to improve who we are as an organization for what we can become.

  • Go Green
    We care deeply about the changing climate here in California, and want to help other Californians reduce their impact on the environment. Hassler places an emphasis on embracing “Green” technologies and processes whenever possible, and reducing energy use.
    "Professional, efficient and responsive."
    “We highly recommend Hassler Heating and AC. Three years ago, we updated our system with a heat pump. The installers were professional, efficient and responsive.”
    - Diane M.
    "The company provided great service."
    “He quickly identified the problem, took time to explain it, answered my questions and got everything in working order under 2 hours that even included a trip back to El Cerrito to get the right part. He was very courteous and respectful.”
    - Veronica A.
    "He had us up and running very quickly."
    “He had us up and running very quickly and also was able to make some other recommendations for service and maintenance. He was great, and I will continue to use him and his team for maintenance and repairs.”
    - Scott L.
    "I am so thankful."
    “Hassler Heating went above and beyond customer service! My AC unit started smoking and I called to make an appointment and they were able to fit me into their schedule that day!”
    - Emily V.
    "I also want to commend your work crew."
    “They were very efficient as well as pleasant in their interaction with me. They did such a good job that my next-door neighbor, after watching them at work, told me that he has decided to hire your firm to install a new heating system for his house.”
    - Marilyn B.
    "Very knowledgable."
    “Chris just came out and inspected a furnace and ducting for me at a property that clients of mine are purchasing in El Cerrito. He was very knowledgable and was sure to take the time to answer all of my questions thoroughly.”
    - Jeffery S.
    "We have full confidence."
    “We have full confidence that we now have a first class heating system that will serve us well in the years to come. We know in the future we will need to replace our roof mounted air conditioner, and we will confidently call on Hassler to do the job.”
    - Tom R.
    "Always professional."
    “They squeezed a whole lot of equipment into a tiny attic without a single complaint. They also helped with all of the energy-saving rebates . The estimator, installers, and service guys have been great.”
    - Sean M.

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