Heat pump water heaters gain market

That big old electric water heater in your dad’s utility closet may be on its way to becoming an antique before too long. Indeed, the last decade has ushered in many innovations in water heater technology—from smaller units with on-demand supply and digitized thermometer controls to tankless heaters. And as the market certainly shows interest in combining a higher level of convenience with energy-efficient technology, an impressive variety of water heater innovations has hit the shelves in the United States. Among them is the air-source heat pump water heater, which works by pulling heat from the air, compressing it and then releasing it into a water tank. By simply moving heat, instead of generating it directly from scratch, the technology is remarkably energy-efficient.

“The Accelera 300 has been saving people money on their energy bills in Europe for over 25 years,” says Bill Riley, a sales and marketing specialist for Stiebel Eltron. The German water heater manufacturer recently introduced the heat pump water heater to North America, where homeowners can reduce hot water bills by up to 80 percent, says Riley. “The beauty of heat pump water heating technology is that the amount of electrical energy needed to create hot water is greatly reduced compared to a conventional electric tank-type water heater,” Riley says. “The Accelera 300 can extract up to 80 percent of its energy requirements from the energy in the air around it.”

The unit’s efficiency is greater with higher ambient air temperatures. In warmer climates, the pump heater can either be installed in a garage or inside the home, where it reduces AC requirements. In cooler climates, builders should install the heater in a basement, where it will also serve to reduce moisture in the air. “You get hot water at a discount and a dry basement as well,” says Riley, who notes that the 80-gallon capacity is considered ideal for normal usage and recovery.

“So far,” reports Riley, “the feedback from people in the U.S. and Canada has been extremely positive. No one has complained about the performance to date. It has been stated by owners that any noise is minimal, like a fridge. Also, any cold spotting concerns are a non-issue due to the resulting dryer air in the basement canceling the small temperature decrease right close to the unit.”

Offering extremely efficient performance and significantly reduced energy bills, the Accelera 300 is Energy Star-certified and eligible for the 30 percent federal tax credit on materials and labor.

Another new Energy Star-rated heat pump water heater eligible for federal tax credits is available through Rheem Water Heating. Relying on the temperature of the ambient air for much of the work, Rheem’s system is also extremely energy-efficient, boasting more than twice the efficiency of a standard electric water heater.

“Rheem has a solid reputation in our line of HVAC products that incorporate heat pumps, so the heat pump’s energy-saving technology is not new to us,” says Chuck Rohde, wholesale marketing manager for Rheem. “We are proud to say that our new integrated heat pump water heaters are made by Rheem in North America, which provides us with a stronger and more localized manufacturing and distribution network than our competitors. With its super-efficient design, the heat pump water heaters reduce the overall cost of homeownership and provide builders with the differentiation in the marketplace.”

No surprise, Rheem’s heat pump water heater is already quite popular. “Builders and homeowners would like several capacity models to choose from,” says Rohde. “So this year we are expanding our offering to meet those needs at competitive prices.”

Rheem says it has the highest hot water delivery for the most popular 50-gallon capacity product and that its broader range of operating temperatures means the heat pump can remain on the highest efficiency setting for the largest percentage of the year. In short, the pump heater, in colder climates, operates considerably longer—and at less operating cost—than other heaters.

Like tankless heaters, the pump heater costs more than traditional electric water heaters at the outset. But Rohde does not expect the price tag to drive customers away. “Although heat pump technology requires a larger investment than a traditional water heater, the tax credits, rebates and fuel saving offer a very short payback period and saves the homeowner hundreds of dollars in fuel costs annually.”

Other Energy Star-qualified brands of heat pump water heaters include AirGenerate, General Electric, Richmond, Ruud and USI Green Energy.