Want a heat pump hot water heater?

[BMWTurboDzl]

Here's an interesting writeup on a developing issue with these units. The issue is condensation on cold surfaces caused by the exhaust air. The condensation can even occur within an adjacent wall.

This could be problematic for homeowners who want to replace and existing HWH which is sitting inside an interior closet.

https://buildingscience.com/documen...lice-cooper-does-heat-pump-hot-water-heatersc

 

[walterjay]

These units need room to breathe. A closet is a no go for one of these.

 

[LenZee]

"Want a heat pump hot water heater?"​

No, I heat my cold water.

 

[Rand]

Here's an interesting writeup on a developing issue with these units. The issue is condensation on cold surfaces caused by the exhaust air. The condensation can even occur within an adjacent wall.

This could be problematic for homeowners who want to replace and existing HWH which is sitting inside an interior closet.

https://buildingscience.com/documen...lice-cooper-does-heat-pump-hot-water-heatersc

A closet is a TERRIBLE place to put them unless you have mitigation in mind when installing.
besides the immediate red flag of calling it a hot water heater..
the issue would be called "installer error"
there is ducting you can use.. otherwise they require a large open space or ventilation with the exhaust sufficiently far away the intake..
and door slat type opening.

 

[Donald]

Mine is in my attached but unheated garage in southern DE. Been working fine for almost a year. I normally have it on heat pump only but during the really cold months I have it on hybrid. (Cold for Delaware).

 

[ctechbob]

Mine is in my attached but unheated garage in southern DE. Been working fine for almost a year. I normally have it on heat pump only but during the really cold months I have it on hybrid. (Cold for Delaware).

Yep, same here. Out in the garage here in Georgia. I've only had maybe 2-3 times over the last 3 years where there wasn't enough heat for it to function and it automatically switched on the elements. The Rheem is smart enough to know when not to run the pump even if it is switched to HP only.

 

[Donald]

Yep, same here. Out in the garage here in Georgia. I've only had maybe 2-3 times over the last 3 years where there wasn't enough heat for it to function and it automatically switched on the elements. The Rheem is smart enough to know when not to run the pump even if it is switched to HP only.

We switched from propane to heat pump water heater. My propane usage is way down. Only fireplaces now are propane. My electric bill did not change in a noticeable amount.

Also the old propane was 50 gallon and new heat pump is 80 gallon. We went for a 220V model rather than the 120V ones. Even though we had to have an electrician run 10 gauge wire through some nearby existing conduit

Wife can now fill her tub for a bath. Happy wife

 

[ctechbob]

We went from resistive to HP and between the rebate from the EMC and the power usage, it was paid for in less than 16 months.

I'm having a harder time tracking the gains from our new heat pump clothes dryer, but those are pretty great as well, especially since it isn't pulling in any outside air.

 

[Donald]

We went from resistive to HP and between the rebate from the EMC and the power usage, it was paid for in less than 16 months.

I'm having a harder time tracking the gains from our new heat pump clothes dryer, but those are pretty great as well, especially since it isn't pulling in any outside air.

Wife able to now fill tub and enjoy a warm bath - priceless!