RatingPlate Find your size
Browse the site

Type guides, state costs, model specs, and brand pages.

Heater Types

Heat Pump Water HeatersHigh-efficiency electric replacements and hybrid tanks.Condensing Tankless Water HeatersCondensing whole-home flow with venting constraints.Gas Tank Water HeatersStraight swaps when gas storage is still the fit.

Plan Your Swap

Sizing guideCapacity, first-hour rating, and temperature-rise fit.Accessories hubInstall extras, code-adjacent parts, and paid-link accessory picks.Upgrade from NHP50Replacement candidates and projected operating-cost delta.Upgrade from NHP65Replacement candidates and projected operating-cost delta.Upgrade from NHP80Replacement candidates and projected operating-cost delta.Upgrade from NPE 210S2Replacement candidates and projected operating-cost delta.Upgrade from PROE50 T2 RH95Replacement candidates and projected operating-cost delta.HPTA 50 2 vs HPTA 80 2Side-by-side specs, efficiency, and fit differences.HPTS 50 2 vs NHP50Side-by-side specs, efficiency, and fit differences.NHP120 vs PROPH80 T2 RH400 30Side-by-side specs, efficiency, and fit differences.NPE 210S2 vs NPE 240S2Side-by-side specs, efficiency, and fit differences.

Guides & Data

California heat pump guideLocal rates, rebates, and operating costs.Colorado heat pump guideLocal rates, rebates, and operating costs.Massachusetts heat pump guideLocal rates, rebates, and operating costs.Oregon heat pump guideLocal rates, rebates, and operating costs.Washington heat pump guideLocal rates, rebates, and operating costs.DOE 2029 standardsWhat changes in 2029 and which product classes move first.

Brands

A.O. Smith Water HeatersPublished models, product lines, and brand coverage.Bradford White Water HeatersPublished models, product lines, and brand coverage.Navien Water HeatersPublished models, product lines, and brand coverage.Noritz Water HeatersPublished models, product lines, and brand coverage.Rheem Water HeatersPublished models, product lines, and brand coverage.Rinnai Water HeatersPublished models, product lines, and brand coverage.Takagi Water HeatersPublished models, product lines, and brand coverage.
Type guide

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Live heat pump water heater models, compared by efficiency, size, and install needs.
A heat pump water heater uses electricity to move heat from the surrounding air into the water tank...
First cuts Model tables Install context
Models27
Brands6
UEF3.34 to 4.20
Capacity40 gal, 50 gal, 65 gal, 80 gal
A heat pump water heater uses electricity to move heat from the surrounding air into the water tank, working like a refrigerator in reverse. Start by checking physical fit, then compare efficiency across the models below. Sizing guide

What to know

Best for

Homeowners in moderate to warm climates with an unconditioned space like a garage, basement, or utility room that stays above 40°F year-round. Ideal for households looking to cut electric water heating costs significantly. State and utility rebates may apply.

Not ideal for

Homes in very cold climates without a heated space for installation, or tight closet installations without adequate airflow. Not a good fit if the surrounding space needs to stay warm, since the unit pulls heat from the air. Renters or short-term owners may not recoup the higher upfront cost.

Advantages

  • 2x to 3.5x more efficient than standard electric resistance tanks, cutting water heating bills by 50-70%
  • Was eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 under IRA Section 25C (expired December 31, 2025)
  • Dehumidifies and slightly cools the space where it operates, a useful side benefit in warm climates
  • Uses no fossil fuels on-site, making it compatible with fully electric homes and clean grid goals
  • Long lifespan of 13-15 years, comparable to or better than standard electric tanks

Trade-offs

  • Higher upfront cost ($1,200-$3,500 for equipment) compared to standard electric tanks
  • Requires a space with at least 750-1,000 cubic feet of air around the unit for efficient heat extraction
  • Performance drops in ambient temperatures below 40°F; most units switch to less efficient resistance backup
  • Produces 40-55 dBA of noise during compressor operation, comparable to a conversation
  • Slower recovery rate than resistance heating when relying solely on the heat pump mode

Is this the right type?

Good fitThis type works when
Homeowners in moderate to warm climates with an unconditioned space like a garage, basement, or utility room that stays above 40°F year-round.
Poor fitConsider a different type if
Homes in very cold climates without a heated space for installation, or tight closet installations without adequate airflow.
Open nextCheck your state's numbers
Heat pump economics change significantly by state. Local electricity rates, rebates, and climate all affect the payback.
See California costs and rebates

Fastest way to narrow this category

Best efficiency
Bradford White RE2HP65-1NCTT
UEF 4.20
Shortest unit
Bradford White RE2HP65-1NCTT
44.6" tall
Lightest unit
Navien NWP500S050AUMB
181 lbs
Shallowest footprint
Navien NWP500S050AUMB
21.7" deep

The trade-off: efficiency vs height (80-gallon class)

How efficiency and height relate

In the 80-gallon class, higher efficiency often means a taller unit. Understanding this trade-off is the key to picking the right model for your space.
Efficiency (UEF)
Height
PROPH80 T2 RH400-30
4.07
74.19"
NWP500S080AUMB
4.05
71.6"
RE2HP80-1NCTT
4.00
51.1"
REHP80BM
4.00
74.2"
HPTA-80-2
3.88
69"
HPTS-80-2
3.88
69"
RE2H80T
3.59
70.8125"
NHP80
3.48
74"
NHP120
3.38
84.5"
40-gallon models for 1 to 2 people.

40-gallon models

ModelBrandUEFFHRHeightEst. Cost/yr
PROPH40 T2 RH400-30Rheem3.8360 gal62.3"~$148
HPTA-40-2A. O. Smith3.6055 gal66"~$156

● Best in group

50-gallon models for the most common residential size, best for 1 to 3 people.

50-gallon models

ModelBrandUEFFHRHeightEst. Cost/yr
RE2HP50-1NCTTBradford White3.8965 gal46.1"~$144
PROPH50 T2 RH400-30Rheem3.8867 gal61.75"~$146
NWP500S050AUMBNavien3.8565 gal63"~$145
HPTS-50-2A. O. Smith3.8065 gal63"~$143
REHP50BMRinnai3.7573 gal66.4"~$146
HPTA-50-2A. O. Smith3.6865 gal63"~$152
NHP50Noritz3.4658 gal58.3"~$162
RE2H50SBradford White3.4465 gal59.1875"~$163

● Best in group

65-gallon models for 3 to 4 people, higher first-hour ratings for simultaneous demand.

65-gallon models

ModelBrandUEFFHRHeightEst. Cost/yr
RE2HP65-1NCTTBradford White4.2082 gal44.6"~$204
PROPH65 T2 RH400-30Rheem4.0575 gal64.19"~$204
NWP500S065AUMBNavien4.0380 gal63"~$215
REHP65BMRinnai3.9080 gal65.5"~$214
HPTA-66-2A. O. Smith3.8483 gal61"~$223
HPTS-66-2A. O. Smith3.7082 gal61.5"~$213
RE2H65TBradford White3.6479 gal63.75"~$235
NHP65Noritz3.3470 gal63.8"~$168

● Best in group

80-gallon models for 4+ people or high simultaneous demand.

80-gallon models

ModelBrandUEFFHRHeightEst. Cost/yr
PROPH80 T2 RH400-30Rheem4.0787 gal74.19"~$209
NWP500S080AUMBNavien4.0585 gal71.6"~$218
RE2HP80-1NCTTBradford White4.0088 gal51.1"~$214
REHP80BMRinnai4.0091 gal74.2"~$211
HPTA-80-2A. O. Smith3.8895 gal69"~$220
HPTS-80-2A. O. Smith3.8895 gal69"~$220
RE2H80TBradford White3.5988 gal70.8125"~$238
NHP80Noritz3.4886 gal74"~$245
NHP120Noritz3.38105 gal84.5"~$253

● Best in group

Installation accessories for heat pump water heater setups. Full accessories list
DOE 2029 standards: DOE 2029 standards require heat pump technology for electric tanks over 35 gallons. Units 35 gallons and under can still use resistance elements but face higher UEF floors. This makes heat pump the only viable technology for virtually all standard residential electric water heaters. Full DOE 2029 analysis

Installation requirements

What installation involves

Electrical: Dedicated 240V, 30A circuit. No gas line needed. Space: Minimum 750-1,000 cubic feet of ambient air space. Typically installed in garages, basements, or large utility rooms. Units are taller than standard tanks (about 60-75 inches). Other: Condensate drain required (the unit produces moisture as it dehumidifies). Floor drain or condensate pump needed. Some units need clearance on top for the fan assembly.

Equipment typically costs $1,200 - $3,500. Installed cost including labor and materials: $2,500 - $5,500.

Other water heater types
Tools
State guides
Sources. Performance: ENERGY STAR. Specs: manufacturer spec sheets. Cost: EIA, Dec 2025, US avg. Regulatory: DOE 10 CFR 430.