Hybrid Water Heater Installation in San Diego, CA
Little Guy plumbing specializes in heat pump and hybrid water heater installation in San Diego. We’re one of the leading companies when it comes to green plumbing and high efficiency water heaters because we stay current on the latest hybrid products and trends. We’ll select the best hybrid or heat pump unit for your situation and help you cash in on valuable rabates and tax credits.
Want to know more about hybrid water heaters? Give is a call to speak with a water heater expert today.
Are Tankless Water Heaters Still Good?
With the federal government and the state of California offering such big incentives to install heat pump and hybrid water heaters, many people are wondering if tankless units are becoming obsolete. The truth is, tankless water heaters are better than ever!
How Heat Pump Water Heaters Work
Heat pump and hybrid water heaters take heat from the surrounding air and transfer it into the water in the storage tank. This is much more energy efficient than using a conventional electric unit, propane or gas water heater, which create carbon monoxide emissions. On average, a hybrid water heater uses 60% less energy than a conventional unit.
What’s the difference between heat pump water heaters and hybrids?
Both heat pump and hybrid water heaters operate on the same technology–heat is drawn from the surrounding air and transfered into water that’s stored inside a tank. Only hybrids, however, combine a heat pump and storage tank into a single unit.
Hybrid Water Heaters
Hybrids look similar to storage tank water heaters in size and shape, although they have large ventilation ports on the top half of the unit, which is where the heat pump is located. They can operate on different modes to maximize efficency througout the year as temperatures fluxuate. There is a high-efficency mode, which uses only the heat pump to heat water; a hybrid mode, which uses the heat pump in combination with electric heating elements; and a full electric mode, which doesn’t utilize the heat pump at all and operates solely on electric elements to heat water. This is the least-efficent operating mode on hybrid units.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Heat pump water heaters, on the other hand, do not combine the storage tank with the heat pump into a single unit. The heat pump itself is independent of the storage tank and uses piping to transfer heated water between the pump and storage tank. This can be a great advantage in some homes or commercial buildings because of space restrictions or other circumstances. Since the heat pump and storage tank are seperate, you can install the heat pump in a different room, an attic or basement, on the exterior of the building or even on the roof.
These “split” systems, as they are sometimes called, tend to be more efficent and less problematic than hybrid models due to the simplicty of their design. Instead of an electronic interface, the heat pump contains a series of dip switches that are used to adjust the operation mode.
Both heat pump and hybrid water heaters qualify for energy rebates, but only approved hybrid water heaters qualify for funding programs offered by the federal government.
Things to keep in mind about heat pump and hybrid water heaters
While heat pump and hybrid water heaters have their avantages and will noticeably reduce your energy consumption, not all systems are ideal for every home and not everyone will gain the same benefits. Here are a few things to consider before switching to a heat pump water heater.
Cost of a Heat Pump Water Heater
The cost to install a heat pump or hybrid water heater is the first consideration for most people. The cost of a hybrid unit is generally twice the amount of a traditional storage tank water heater. A split system can be three times the amount or more, depending on what unit you buy. This may not be an issue for some people, but for those already on a tight budget, the purchase price of a heat pump water heater could be a problem.
Location of Install
Having a suitable space for your new heat pump or hybrid water heater installation is important. Hybrids require a sizeable space that allows free circulation of the surrounding air. Keep in mind that heat pumps draw their heat from surrounding air so a small, enclosed space such as a water heater closet or even a small untility room may not be sufficient. Also, heat pumps remove warmth from the air, leaving it cold in the installation area, so deciding the right place to install your heat pump is an important first step.
Plumbing Accommodations
Due to their size and operational requirements, you may find that modifications to your existing plumbing are necessary. Copper piping may have to be modified to reach different connection points on the unit; your water heater stand may have to be removed; a condensation line may have to be installed to carry water away from the unit. You may also have to install ventilation ducting and create vent ports in the wall or roof of the building to ensure adequate airflow.
Rebates and Tax Credits
It is said that a hybrid water heater can pay for itself in just 4 years or less as a result of energy savings, rebates, and tax credits. However, it’s important to note that different units vary in efficency so not all incentives are equal across the different models. You will benefit from researching and consulting with an expert about the different hybrid units available and the rebates they qualify for. You will also want to weigh the overall cost of purchasing a hybrid unit and having it installed against the annual energy savings expected to see if your financial goals will be met.
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