Heat Pump Water Heaters
What to know
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.
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?
Fastest way to narrow this category
The trade-off: efficiency vs height (80-gallon class)
How efficiency and height relate
40-gallon models
| Model | Brand | UEF | FHR | Height | Est. Cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PROPH40 T2 RH400-30 | Rheem | 3.83 | 60 gal | 62.31" | ~$155 |
| HPTA-40-2 | A. O. Smith | 3.60 | 55 gal | 64.75" | ~$163 |
● Best in group
50-gallon models
| Model | Brand | UEF | FHR | Height | Est. Cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PH50S10BPY01 | GE Profile | 4.30 | 77 gal | 68.25" | ~$208 |
| APHWC501M | LG | 3.93 | 76 gal | 63.97" | ~$228 |
| RE2HP50-1NCTT | Bradford White | 3.89 | 65 gal | 64.125" | ~$151 |
| PROPH50 T2 RH400-30 | Rheem | 3.88 | 67 gal | 61.75" | ~$153 |
| NWP500S050AUMB | Navien | 3.85 | 65 gal | 63" | ~$152 |
| HPTS-50-2 | A. O. Smith | 3.80 | 65 gal | 63" | ~$150 |
| MAHW-50VN3A | Midea | 3.75 | 69 gal | 66.75" | ~$154 |
| REHP50BM | Rinnai | 3.75 | 73 gal | 66.4" | ~$152 |
| HPTA-50-2 | A. O. Smith | 3.68 | 65 gal | 63" | ~$159 |
| HPA10250H045DV-2 | American | 3.68 | 65 gal | 63" | ~$159 |
| NHP50 | Noritz | 3.46 | 58 gal | 67" | ~$169 |
| RE2H50S | Bradford White | 3.44 | 65 gal | 59.1875" | ~$170 |
| PF50S10FPY01 | GE Profile | 3.20 | 59 gal | 68.25" | ~$183 |
| PROPH50 T0 RH120 | Rheem | 3.00 | 51 gal | 65" | ~$195 |
| XE50T10HM00U0 | Rheem | 3.00 | 55 gal | 61.75" | ~$193 |
● Best in group
65-gallon models
| Model | Brand | UEF | FHR | Height | Est. Cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PH65S10BPY01 | GE Profile | 4.30 | 87 gal | 67.125" | ~$208 |
| RE2HP65-1NCTT | Bradford White | 4.20 | 82 gal | 62.5625" | ~$213 |
| PROPH65 T2 RH400-30 | Rheem | 4.05 | 75 gal | 64.19" | ~$214 |
| NWP500S065AUMB | Navien | 4.03 | 80 gal | 63" | ~$225 |
| MAHW-65VN3A | Midea | 3.90 | 80 gal | 65.875" | ~$224 |
| REHP65BM | Rinnai | 3.90 | 80 gal | 65.5" | ~$224 |
| HPTA-66-2 | A. O. Smith | 3.84 | 83 gal | 61.5" | ~$233 |
| HPA10266H045DV-2 | American | 3.84 | 83 gal | 61.5" | ~$233 |
| HPTS-66-2 | A. O. Smith | 3.70 | 82 gal | 61.5" | ~$222 |
| RE2H65T | Bradford White | 3.64 | 79 gal | 63.75" | ~$246 |
| PF65S10FPY01 | GE Profile | 3.40 | 77 gal | 67.125" | ~$263 |
| NHP65 | Noritz | 3.34 | 70 gal | 64.25" | ~$176 |
| PROPH65 T0 RH120-M | Rheem | 3.33 | 63 gal | 64.19" | ~$175 |
| HPTV-66-2 | A. O. Smith | 3.20 | 76 gal | 61.5" | ~$280 |
● Best in group
80-gallon models
| Model | Brand | UEF | FHR | Height | Est. Cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PH80S10BPY01 | GE Profile | 4.40 | 101 gal | 76.375" | ~$203 |
| PROPH80 T2 RH400-30 | Rheem | 4.07 | 87 gal | 74.19" | ~$219 |
| NWP500S080AUMB | Navien | 4.05 | 85 gal | 71.6" | ~$228 |
| RE2HP80-1NCTT | Bradford White | 4.00 | 88 gal | 69.0625" | ~$224 |
| MAHW-80VN3A | Midea | 4.00 | 91 gal | 74.625" | ~$224 |
| REHP80BM | Rinnai | 4.00 | 91 gal | 74.2" | ~$221 |
| APHWC801M | LG | 3.90 | 94 gal | 79.06" | ~$229 |
| HPTA-80-2 | A. O. Smith | 3.88 | 95 gal | 69" | ~$231 |
| HPTS-80-2 | A. O. Smith | 3.88 | 95 gal | 69" | ~$231 |
| HPA10280H045DV-2 | American | 3.88 | 95 gal | 69" | ~$231 |
| RE2H80T | Bradford White | 3.59 | 88 gal | 70.8125" | ~$249 |
| PF80S10FPY01 | GE Profile | 3.50 | 94 gal | 76.375" | ~$256 |
| NHP80 | Noritz | 3.48 | 86 gal | 74.25" | ~$257 |
| PROPH80 T0 RH120-M | Rheem | 3.46 | 84 gal | 74.19" | ~$253 |
| XE80T10HM00U0 | Rheem | 3.46 | 84 gal | 74.19" | ~$253 |
| NHP120 | Noritz | 3.38 | 105 gal | 85" | ~$265 |
| HPTV-80-2 | A. O. Smith | 3.00 | 93 gal | 69" | ~$298 |
● Best in group
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.
- Sizing guide Find the right capacity
- Replacement cost guide Equipment, labor, and hidden costs
- Heat pump vs electric tank Annual cost comparison
- Heat pump vs gas tankless Different fuels, different trade-offs
- 120V plug-in models Every certified plug-in
- 50-gallon models All certified, ranked
- 65-gallon models All certified, ranked
- 80-gallon models All certified, ranked
- Quietest models Rated dBA
- Garage and basement installs Minimum operating temperatures
- Replacing a gas water heater 2026 rebate rules
- Heat pump vs gas tank Cost by state
- Heat pump guide: Alaska State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Alabama State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Arkansas State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Arizona State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: California State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Colorado State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Connecticut State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: District of Columbia State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Delaware State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Florida State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Georgia State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Hawaii State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Iowa State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Idaho State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Illinois State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Indiana State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Kansas State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Kentucky State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Louisiana State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Massachusetts State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Maryland State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Maine State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Michigan State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Minnesota State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Missouri State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Mississippi State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Montana State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: North Carolina State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: North Dakota State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Nebraska State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: New Hampshire State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: New Jersey State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: New Mexico State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Nevada State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: New York State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Ohio State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Oklahoma State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Oregon State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Pennsylvania State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Rhode Island State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: South Carolina State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: South Dakota State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Tennessee State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Texas State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Utah State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Virginia State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Vermont State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Washington State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Wisconsin State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: West Virginia State rebates, costs, and codes
- Heat pump guide: Wyoming State rebates, costs, and codes