Heat Pump – Hawaii Energy

A heat pump is an efficient alternative to solar water heating.

A heat pump, or “hybrid”, water heater offers major savings and added tech benefits.

How does it work?

This incredibly smart technology pulls in warm ambient air from outside of the tank to heat water and transfers cool air out. It is typically installed in a garage or closet – nothing on your roof – and like a standard electrical storage tank, the water inside is kept heated for use, but at nearly twice the efficiency, which means you pay up to 40% less for energy! You may even experience a cooling effect in the space where you keep your tank due to the air transfer.

GET $500 OFF A NEW HEAT PUMP NOW

Getting the right system for your home

Before buying and installing any water heating system, you’ll want to make sure you know the tank size you need, and how efficient the system is. (You can calculate the efficiency using the “energy factor” found here, or just consider choosing an ENERGY STAR® model, which is tested and certified to be at least 15% more efficient.)

Additional considerations and requirements* for a heat pump system include:

Typically requires a 240-volt electricity supply. However, new 120-volt models have become available. If you don’t know which one you need, check with a professional/electrician.
Air temperature around unit should be greater than 40° F year-round.
Ideally needs a 100 sq. ft. space of 10 ft x 10 ft (Smaller spaces must be able to be able to be fitted with louvered doors or ducted.)
Ceiling must be at least a 6 ft. high.
Requires a condensate drain line.

*Check with a licensed contractor if you aren’t sure whether your home has all the necessary requirements.

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The importance of maintenance

Proper maintenance of your heat pump water heater is important to extend its life and it helps to avoid early replacement costs. We suggest getting a tune-up service at least once every 3 years.

Here are the top things that should be checked and serviced:

Visual inspection: There’s a lot you can tell simply by looking at your water heater. Visual damage, leaks, and wear on insulation can indicate energy loss.
Drain-flush-refill: Heard of the phrase, “hard water”? It refers to water that contains a high amount of minerals. Draining and flushing can avoid the build-up of these minerals at the bottom of your tank and helps to maintain proper heating and hot water flow.
Anode rod inspection: An anode rod uses an electrochemical process in order to prevent your tank from rusting. It is a critical part of the water heater and should be checked and replaced at least every 3 years.
Clean the filter: Like an AC, a heat pump water heater has an air filter that can get clogged. Check and clean these as needed, making sure they are completely dry when replaced.
Condensate line inspection: The condensate drain can get clogged over time with mildew and algae. Use model-safe disinfectant to clean it to ensure the condensate is sanitary and flows freely.

For the care of all types of water heaters, it’s important to follow the instructions that came with your unit. Every brand and model can be different. For safety, please refer to the manuals they came with. Or, if you need help, we suggest contacting a professional to perform your tune-up service.

Learn how you can get a rebate when you schedule your service with a Clean Energy Ally. Here’s a list of what they will check for during the tune-up, click here.

Reliability

Support local and choose one of our qualified participating contractors for installation and proper maintenance of your system. Our contractors are pre-qualified and must abide by strict standards, which include being insured, licensed and in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. We randomly select systems to ensure they pass our inspections.

Find Participating Contractors Near You

Save energy plus get a rebate

Right now, Hawaii Energy rebates helps to make this upgrade more affordable! You’ll receive a $500 instant in-store rebate when you purchase and install a qualifying ENERGY STAR® heat pump water heater from a participating retailer. For more information, click here.

This measure may qualify for valuable tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act. Please check with your tax professional on applicability.

Did you know?

Heat pump water heaters are 2x as efficient as a conventional water heater, cutting your water heating costs in half. Hawaii Energy rebates and federal tax credits make this water heater a very cost-effective upgrade.