Heat pump water heaters

[Ludington]

I am still on the fence about buying one of these. If the heat pump part of a hybrid system fails, will it continue to work like a standard heater ?
Also, is 50 degrees enough heat to run well ? My basement runs between 50 in the winter and 80 in the summer.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I wouldn’t buy one period unless you know how to work on it and are willing to wait on parts.

 

[Ludington]

That's why I was asking if it would still run like a standard heater using the heat elements. That way it could be used as is or until parts were ordered.

 

[Twowaxhack]

That's why I was asking if it would still run like a standard heater using the heat elements. That way it could be used as is or until parts were ordered.

Maybe, maybe not. Depends what breaks.

To me it’s not worth the extra money.

If you want to save money, take cold showers or cooler showers. Turn thermostats down and just use the water to soap up then turn it off. Then back on to rinse.

That’s how you save money.

 

[Ludington]

Actually just waiting for my maytag heater to fail, still working fine after 25 years. Never flushed never changed elements. I couldn't change them now if I wanted to, it takes special elements that no one makes. So , just looking at options, and as the govt is giving out 1750 in a rebate for hphw, was just considering it. A free wh would be nice, it all depends on the restrictions to get the rebate. If I can do a self install, then great. If I have to pay someone it still could be a break even from a standard heater from home depot or lowes.

 

[pasadena_commut]

A standard gas or electric water heater has very few parts and only a few that are prone to failure. Not counting the anode, which is a service item and should be changed every so many years (like tires). Conversely, the heat pump on a HPWH is a fiddly device which can fail for any number of reasons. If you can find a model designed so that the whole HP can be popped off and replaced, and the manufacturer lists the price of that replacement, and the installation does not require an HVAC tech, then at least you can estimate what it might cost to keep one of these running. My impression is that failures on most of these are like a failure on any other heat pump or A/C, where a trained technician with the right tools to safely (ecologically) pump out the coolant and recharge must be called, when anything in the loop needs service. $$$.

Personally I have been on the lookout for years for a combined house heat/pump A/C, water heater combination where the tank and the house side of the HVAC would fit in a small space inside the house. Because, of course, that is where our current gas furnace and water heater are located. Seems like a no brainer that if one has a heat pump outside that it should be able to direct the heat either to the "furnace" or the water tank, as needed. This would reduce the inside hot water tank to a dumb receptacle. No heating elements at all, and just a sensor for the logic located back at the HP. (It would still need the pressure release valve, of course, although it is very hard to imagine a failure which would result in it being employed.) AFAIK nobody makes anything like this. There are products to replace the furnace and A/C, but not also the water heater.

It looks like there is a company finally starting to make a product like that.

https://www.harvest-thermal.com/faq
Not going to bet my house's HVAC on a startup though. If Rheem, Carrier, etc. ever get to this point I'm in.

 

[Ludington]

I think y'all have talked me into just buying a standard heater when mine gives up.
Maybe I'll take another look and see if I can find parts and just keep this ol maytag running. But those heating elements may be impossible to get out, as long as they have been in there.

 

[Jimmychase]

It is important to remember that if the heat pump fails in a hybrid system, it will not continue to work like a standard heater. Additionally, 50 degrees may not be enough heat to keep the system running effectively. You should consider the risk and order parts that are necessary for repair if the system fails before making a purchase.

 

[TomFOhio]

I think y'all have talked me into just buying a standard heater when mine gives up.
Maybe I'll take another look and see if I can find parts and just keep this ol maytag running. But those heating elements may be impossible to get out, as long as they have been in there.

What does your elements look like on the water heater????

 

[Ludington]

I dont know, I pulled them many years ago and they were clean. But being the wh was bought in 2000.... 23 years old, I'd be afraid to even try to get them out. No replacements available anywhere. And it is still working... never flushed so who know how it's working...