Use the Summer Heat to Your Advantage With an Electric Heat Pump Water Heater

Mass Save is here to give you the scoop on a hot new summer trend. Ok, it may not be as exciting as debating the “Song of the Summer” or which blockbuster will rule the box office. However, it will save energy and save you money. Let’s talk about heat pump hot water heaters.

Heat pump hot water heaters operate efficiently year ‘round, but they can provide even greater energy savings in the warmest months of the year. The reason why has to do with how heat pump technology works.

Unlike a conventional electric water heater that generates heat directly, a heat pump uses electricity to transfer heat from one spot to another. This is a much more efficient process, as much as two or three times more efficient.

Let’s say you have an unconditioned basement that gets a little warm in the summer. Put a heat pump hot water heater there, and it will take the heat from the surrounding air and use it to heat the water. The result is significant energy savings, as much as $3,500 over its lifetime if you choose an ENERGY STAR® model. You may be able to lower the temperature in your basement by a few degrees, which could make laundry day more tolerable or protect the items you’re storing in the basement.

You may be wondering what happens in the winter. Will the heat pump still provide enough hot water when the temperature is cooler? As long as your basement stays at least 40 degrees F, it will work, though the cooler it is the less efficient its operation. Heat pump hot water heaters contain backup heating elements similar to conventional water heaters and will operate as necessary to ensure you always have enough hot water to go around.

If your water heater is 10 years old or older, it may be time for a replacement. Get up to $600 from Mass Save to install an electric heat pump water heater.