State guide
Heat Pump Water Heaters in New Jersey
Local rates, rebates, and climate change which heat pump models make sense.
New Jersey operating costs use local energy prices, not national averages.
Electricity23.0¢/kWh
Gas$1.39/therm
Inlet water55°F
Live models35
New Jersey electricity is 33% above the national average. Here's what that means for heat pump operating costs.
Running cost in New Jersey
New Jersey electricity
23.0¢
per kWh (EIA, Dec 2025)
US average
17.2¢
per kWh
Best HP annual cost
$191
A. O. Smith HPTS-50-2
Electric resistance
$1034
~4,500 kWh/yr baseline
Gas tank baseline
$278
~200 therms/yr
Colder inlet water (55°F annual average, 43°F in winter) means the heat pump works harder than DOE test conditions assume (58°F). Real-world efficiency will be slightly lower than rated UEF, and winter operating costs will be higher than the annual average.
Why New Jersey changes the call
01Energy cost
New Jersey electricity is 33% above the national average. That directly affects how much a heat pump saves compared to a standard electric tank.
02Climate impact
Incoming water averages 55°F annually and drops to about 43°F in winter. Colder water means the heat pump works harder and real efficiency is slightly lower than rated.
03Available incentives
State and utility rebates can significantly change the payback period. Check what's currently available before finalizing your decision.
Rebates in New Jersey
The federal $2,000 tax credit (IRA Section 25C) expired December 31, 2025. State and utility rebates listed below may still be available. Verify current status at the links provided.
NJ Clean Energy Program Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate
$500-$1,000
Who: New Jersey Board of Public Utilities / NJ Clean Energy Program
Eligibility: ENERGY STAR certified. New Jersey residential customer. Must replace existing water heater.
https://cleanenergy.nj.gov/
Eligibility: ENERGY STAR certified. New Jersey residential customer. Must replace existing water heater.
https://cleanenergy.nj.gov/
IRA HEAR Rebate (Point-of-Sale)
Up to $1,750
Status: Launched in New Jersey. Income-qualified: under 80% AMI for full rebate, 80-150% AMI for 50% rebate.
New Jersey launched its IRA HEAR program in 2025.
New Jersey launched its IRA HEAR program in 2025.
Install requirements in New Jersey
Electrical
Dedicated 240V, 30A circuit (most models). Some newer 120V plug-in models exist but most residential units require 240V. Check the unit's nameplate for exact requirements.
Condensate drain
Heat pump water heaters produce condensate during operation. A condensate drain line to an approved location (floor drain, condensate pump, or exterior) is required.
Air space
Approximately 700 cubic feet of surrounding air (roughly a 10x10x7-foot room). The heat pump extracts heat from surrounding air. Insufficient air volume reduces efficiency and can cause the unit to underperform. Some manufacturers allow ducting to supplement air supply in smaller spaces.
Noise
Heat pump water heaters produce operational noise similar to a window AC unit (45-55 dB). Consider placement away from bedrooms.
Best fits for New Jersey
Annual operating cost at New Jersey's 23.0¢/kWh rate. Sorted by lowest annual cost.
A. O. Smith
HPTS-50-2
$191/yr
46 gal
UEF 3.80
63" tall
Bradford White
RE2HP50-1NCTT
$192/yr
45 gal
UEF 3.89
46.1" tall
Navien
NWP500S050AUMB
$193/yr
44 gal
UEF 3.85
63" tall
Rheem
PROPH50 T2 RH400-30
$194/yr
45 gal
UEF 3.88
61.75" tall
Rinnai
REHP50BM
$194/yr
46 gal
UEF 3.75
66.4" tall
Rinnai
REHP50C
$194/yr
46 gal
UEF 3.75
66.4" tall
Rheem
PROPH40 T2 RH400-30
$197/yr
36 gal
UEF 3.83
62.3" tall
A. O. Smith
HPTA-50-2
$203/yr
46 gal
UEF 3.68
63" tall
A. O. Smith
HPTA-40-2
$207/yr
36 gal
UEF 3.60
66" tall
Noritz
NHP50
$216/yr
47 gal
UEF 3.46
58.3" tall
Bradford White
RE2H50S
$217/yr
45 gal
UEF 3.44
59.1875" tall
Noritz
NHP65
$224/yr
57 gal
UEF 3.34
63.8" tall
Bradford White
RE2HP65-1NCTT
$271/yr
65 gal
UEF 4.20
44.6" tall
Rheem
PROPH65 T2 RH400-30
$272/yr
59 gal
UEF 4.05
64.19" tall
Rheem
PROPH80 T2 RH400-30
$279/yr
72 gal
UEF 4.07
74.19" tall
Rinnai
REHP80
$282/yr
75 gal
UEF 4.00
74.2" tall
Rinnai
REHP80BM
$282/yr
75 gal
UEF 4.00
74.2" tall
Rinnai
REHP80C
$282/yr
75 gal
UEF 4.00
74.2" tall
A. O. Smith
HPTS-66-2
$283/yr
67 gal
UEF 3.70
61.5" tall
Bradford White
RE2HP80-1NCTT
$285/yr
75 gal
UEF 4.00
51.1" tall
Rinnai
REHP65
$285/yr
60 gal
UEF 3.90
65.5" tall
Rinnai
REHP65BM
$285/yr
60 gal
UEF 3.90
65.5" tall
Rinnai
REHP65C
$285/yr
60 gal
UEF 3.90
45.5" tall
Rinnai
REHP65CW
$285/yr
60 gal
UEF 3.90
45.5" tall
Rinnai
REHP65W
$285/yr
60 gal
UEF 3.90
45.5" tall
Rinnai
REHP65WC
$285/yr
60 gal
UEF 3.90
45.5" tall
Navien
NWP500S065AUMB
$286/yr
61 gal
UEF 4.03
63" tall
Navien
NWP500S080AUMB
$291/yr
74 gal
UEF 4.05
71.6" tall
A. O. Smith
HPTA-80-2
$294/yr
81 gal
UEF 3.88
69" tall
A. O. Smith
HPTS-80-2
$294/yr
82 gal
UEF 3.88
69" tall
A. O. Smith
HPTA-66-2
$297/yr
68 gal
UEF 3.84
61" tall
Bradford White
RE2H65T
$313/yr
64 gal
UEF 3.64
63.75" tall
Bradford White
RE2H80T
$318/yr
75 gal
UEF 3.59
70.8125" tall
Noritz
NHP80
$327/yr
74 gal
UEF 3.48
74" tall
Noritz
NHP120
$337/yr
109 gal
UEF 3.38
84.5" tall
Your next click
Sources
Electricity and natural gas rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), residential sector, December 2025.
Rebate data compiled from state energy offices, utility program pages, DSIRE, and ENERGY STAR. Rebate amounts and eligibility change frequently. Verify at listed program URLs.
Inlet water temperatures estimated from NOAA climate normals using the Burch-Christensen mains water temperature model (NREL).
Model specifications from ENERGY STAR certified product data and manufacturer spec sheets.
Page generated March 15, 2026. Data freshness varies by source.