Other Heat Pump Water Heaters We Reviewed
In addition to the heat pump water heaters we reviewed above, we also looked at the following models.
- Energy factor: 3.75
- Annual cost: $125
- Warranty length: 10 years
Stiebel Eltron is a German hot water heater manufacturer known for their high quality. But when we reviewed their heat pump model we found little reason to justify the $2,499 cost.
At an energy factor of 3.05 it is less efficient than Rheem, AO Smith and Bradford Whites models.
The only reason we could come up with is its pretty cool looking. I mean look at that beauty.
Why Use An Electric Water Heater
According to this study carried out by Consumer Reports, electric water heaters are an energy-efficient way of getting hot water.
Electric hot water heaters are generally easier to use when comparing to an equivalent gas-powered unit.
The installation and maintenance costs of these units are often lower, as they dont require venting.
Additionally, electric water heaters can be used in any home that simply has electricity, whereas not every home has gas, with apartment buildings often only having electricity available for safety reasons.
Our Favorite: Rheem Performance Platinum
We looked at every heat pump hybrid hot water heater on the market and our favorite is the Rheem Performance Platinum.
Lowest upfront cost
Rheem vs. AO Smith: The Rheem Performance Platinum is the cheapest heat pump water heater on the market at $1,672 for a 40 gallon tank and $1,699 for a 50 gallon tank. Thats $127 cheaper than the AO Smith Signature Premier and $383 cheaper than the Bradford White AeroTherm.
But for that extra $127 and $383 neither the AO Smith or the Bradford White come with any additional features. In fact, Bradford Whites AeroTherm model is less energy efficient and noisier than the Rheem.
Highest energy efficiency
If you look at the energy efficiency of these models youll see that the Rheem heat pump water heater wins on that front as well. Their Performance Platinum model has an energy factor of 3.75 compared to AO Smiths 3.45 and Bradford Whites 3.39. That will lead to savings of about $10-15 per year. Thats nothing to write home about. But considering the Rheem is also the cheapest model, its the best bang for your buck.
Quietest background noise
The Rheem Performance Platinum is also known for being the quietest heat pump water heater on the market. It runs at 49 dB compared to AO Smiths 51 dB and Bradford Whites 55 dB.
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The Best Heat Pump Hybrid Water Heater
Replacing your water heater is an overwhelming decision and one that can be difficult to plan for. From an electric water heater, to a tankless water heater, to a hybrid hot water heater, and more, there are many options out there. But its a decision that could save youor cost youthousands of dollars down the line. In fact, switching to a hybrid water heater can save you as much as $4,800 over the next 10 years.
We spent hundreds of hours looking for the best heat pump water heater on the market when we wrote our buyers guide. Read below to see our heat pump water heater reviews and what models we liked best.
Top Considerations Before Purchasing
- Technical Specs Weve done our very best to outline each heaters technical specs, including UEF , FHR , and Recovery Rate, so you have all of this information available when making any comparisons between models.
- General Specs Weve also included information regarding the units physical dimensions and weight
- Price Price information has also been specified, with $ representing the lowest price and $$$$$ representing the highest. We realize that everyone has a unique budget, so this is an important consideration
- Warranty Weve displayed warranty information where possible.
Weve listed the following 80-gallon water heaters in order of cost, from the lowest price at the top to the largest price at the bottom:
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Additional Considerations And Costs
- Top manufacturers. 80-gallon water heaters are less common than smaller models, but many top manufacturers still produce them, including Rheem, A. O. Smith, Rinnai, and Richmond.
- Lifespan. Expect your water heater to last at least 10 to 15 years. Most have warranties of at least 6 years.
- Maintenance. Water heater maintenance is fairly simple. They need to be occasionally drained and flushed to remove sediment from the bottom.
- Mounting. 80-gallon water heaters are large. They must be floor-mounted and often need a large space.
- Piping. If you need additional piping to reach the water heater, expect to pay an additional $8 to $10 per linear foot of pipe installed.
- Permit. Permits may be required for water heater installations in some areas. Always check with your local municipality for more information.
Runner Up: Ao Smith Signature Premier
In our opinion the second best heat pump water heater is AO Smiths Signature Premier.
Upfront cost
When we first published this review in 2020, AO Smiths heat pump water heaters tied Rheem for the cheapest model. But since then AO Smith got more expensive than the Rheem.
AO Smiths 50 gallon model starts at $1,799, which is $127 more than the Rheem. But AO Smiths heat pump water heater is $256 cheaper than Bradford Whites heat pump water heater reviewed below.
Energy efficiency
Looking at the energy efficiency, an AO Smith hybrid water heater comes in second with an energy factor of 3.45 .
Now its worth mentioning that the difference between an energy factor of 3.75 and 3.45 isnt huge. If your plumber loves AO Smith, its probably not worth harassing them to install a Rheem. But it will result in a bit higher energy bill .
Second quietest background noise
Background noise is another important consideration for heat pump water heaters. And here the AO Smith also comes in second at 51 dB.
Again, the difference between 51 and 49 dB isnt very big. So its probably not worth picking the Rheem over the AO Smith just because its 2 dB quieter. But compared to the Bradford White, the AO Smith is 4 dB quieter. That difference isnt massive either. But considering the Bradford White is more expensive, its worth going with the quieter option.
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High Uniform Energy Factors
Eco-friendly non-CFC foam insulation, heat traps and specially designed combustion chamber combine to produce a high Uniform Energy Factor for maximum savings on operating costs.
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Cold water enters the water heater through an internal dip tube which forces the cold water to the bottom of the tank and pushes hot water out through the outlet connection. This arrangement provides the most hot water for a given tank size. There are two thermostats on a typical residential water heater. The thermostat at the bottom controls the lower heating element while the top thermostat controls the upper heating element. Usually, only one heating element is active at a time. Because the lower element sees the cold water first, the lower heating element does most of the work, while the upper heating element is used only when the entire tank is cold. Because water can corrode the steel tank, we glass line the inside of the tank and install an anode rod to help reduce corrosion. The temperature and pressure relief valve is a safety device designed to open if the internal temperature or pressure of the tank exceeds certain limits. Water heaters should be large enough to provide adequate hot water even when temperatures are cold and household demand is greatest.
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Rebate and incentive programs provide cash-back to consumers for the purchase of appliances that meet certain energy efficiency standards. Often, these standards are tied to the ENERGY STAR® certification program.
Overpriced: Bradford White Aerotherm
Coming in last place is the Bradford White AeroTherm. If you read any of the sections above, youll already know why we think the Bradford White heat pump is the worst option on the market.
More expensive
At $2,055 for a 50 gallon heat pump water heater, the Bradford White is $383 more expensive than the Rheem and $256 more expensive than the AO Smith.
Shorter warranty
Youd expect that for another couple hundred bucks the Bradford White would come with a longer warranty. But thats not the case. In fact, its 4 years shorter than the Rheem and the AO Smiths 10 year warranties.
If you want a 10 year warranty youll have to shell out another $299 bringing the total cost $2,384 .
Harder to find in stores
Bradford White hot water heaters are notoriously hard to buy as a homeowner. Thats because unlike Rheem and AO Smith that sell their hot water heaters at Home Depot and Lowes, Bradford White only sells their water heaters through supply houses and plumbers.
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How It Works
Cold water enters the water heater through an internal dip tube which forces the cold water to the bottom of the tank and pushes hot water out through the outlet connection. This arrangement provides the most hot water for a given tank size. There are two thermostats on a typical residential water heater. The thermostat at the bottom controls the lower heating element while the top thermostat controls the upper heating element. Usually, only one heating element is active at a time. Because the lower element sees the cold water first, the lower heating element does most of the work, while the upper heating element is used only when the entire tank is cold. Because water can corrode the steel tank, we glass line the inside of the tank and install an anode rod to help reduce corrosion. The temperature and pressure relief valve is a safety device designed to open if the internal temperature or pressure of the tank exceeds certain limits. Water heaters should be large enough to provide adequate hot water even when temperatures are cold and household demand is greatest.