Full disclosure:
I took advantage of a rebate with my utility and got a 50 gallon ‘heat pump’ electric water heater at a large discount 2 years ago. I acted because the rebate program was coming to an end and a coworker told me about the great deal and had good things to say about the WH, coupled with the fact that my own WH was 12 years old and original to the house.
It sat in my living room for a year while I planned on how to install it.
The dirty little secret of so-called ‘hybrid’ water heaters is that they are grossly inefficient unless installations are performed to standards (ducted intake & exhaust).
Trust me when I say that’s neither cheap nor easy to accomplish with standard WH installation locations.
In my case, I designed a complicated ducting system in a very, VERY small space (it almost didn’t work out) to draw in attic air for the intake (hot air) and selectable exhaust (cold air, like a/c cold) to pump into the house in the summer, outside during cold months. In this respect, the WH is installed to a standard which should elicit the greatest savings when placed in ‘heat pump’ mode (which it has been for a year).
Aside from the time this DIY project entailed, the materials for the installation exceeded the price of the WH by 100% (double).
Additionally, other than the pleasant cooler bedroom, I’ve realized this ‘benefit’ with over a full year of active use an installation they’re now pushing:
Zero year-over-year electricity use savings.
None.
I wish now that I’d have gone GAS, as the last house I had was gas furnace/WH, and in the summer my gas bill was a mere $8/month for 3 people for hot water WITH a dishwasher and older washing machine with warm water rinse.
Don’t be fooled. Major mea culpa on my part (stupid move).
Fair warning to all.
Sorry to hear of your bad experience.
When I bought my current house, natural gas was my main criteria.
A couple years ago the 30 year old water heater failed. Quick run to Home Depot, couple hours of work and the new one was installed.
Thank you for the detailed post.
The percentage of people applying themselves like you did is very, very small.
You contemplated, researched, and applied action.
You’re in the top 5% of people by just doing that. :)