State guide

Heat Pump Water Heaters in Washington

Heat pumps make financial sense in Washington. Estimated savings: $520/yr vs a standard electric tank.

$520/yr savings/4.6 yr payback/3 rebate programs/14.2¢/kWh (21% below avg)

Utility rebates available now. IRA HEAR has not launched in Washington yet.

Running cost Rebates Best fits

Score breakdown: 58/100

Savings

32/55

Rebates

10/20

Climate

8/15

Install

8/10

RatingPlate Score. Based on EIA energy prices, ENERGY STAR data, state rebate programs, and permit research. Not a government rating or purchasing recommendation. FAQ

Washington electricity is 21% below the national average. Here's what that means for heat pump operating costs.

Running cost in Washington

At Washington's 14.2¢/kWh electricity rate, the most efficient heat pump water heater saves an estimated $520 per year compared to a standard electric tank.

Washington electricity

14.2¢

per kWh (EIA, 12-month avg. through Aug 2026)

US average

18.0¢

per kWh

Best HP annual cost

$118

A. O. Smith HPTS-50-2

Electric resistance

$639

~4,500 kWh/yr baseline

Colder inlet water (50°F annual average, 42°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.

Heat pump vs gas tank in Washington

At Washington prices (14.2¢/kWh electricity, $1.75/therm gas), a heat pump costs about $182 less per year to run than a standard gas tank, on the same DOE rated hot water load. See replacing a gas water heater in 2026 and all 50 states compared.

Heat pump

$121/yr

855 kWh/yr (median 50-gal)

Gas tank

$303/yr

173 therms/yr (UEF 0.64)

Difference

$182/yr

heat pump cheaper

Both use the DOE medium draw test load (55 gallons a day). Gas price: EIA, 12-month avg. through Aug 2026. Replacing gas with a heat pump also means adding a 240V circuit (or choosing a 120V model) and a condensate drain, and the federal HEAR rebate no longer covers gas replacements.

Why Washington changes the call

01Energy cost

Washington electricity is 21% below the national average. That directly affects how much a heat pump saves compared to a standard electric tank.

02Climate impact

Incoming water averages 50°F annually and drops to about 42°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 Washington

Washington has 3 rebate programs as of November 2026.

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.

Puget Sound Energy Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate

$1,000 ($1,100 with Efficiency Boost)

Who: Puget Sound Energy
Eligibility: PSE electric customer. Qualifying NEEA Tier 3 or Tier 4 heat pump water heater from PSE's qualified product list. Installed on or after January 1, 2026. Available at participating retailers or by post-purchase rebate form. Higher Efficiency Boost amount for income-qualified customers.
https://www.pse.com/rebates/water-heating/heat-pump-water-heater-rebate

Seattle City Light Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate

$750

Who: Seattle City Light
Eligibility: Seattle City Light customer. Tier 3 or 4 model on the qualified product list. Available through a participating contractor, an instant coupon at retail, or a post-purchase rebate.
https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/residential-services/home-energy-solutions

Washington State Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (State HEAR)

Varies by local administrator

Who: Washington State Department of Commerce, through local program administrators
Eligibility: Low- and moderate-income households, small businesses, and adult family homes served by a participating local administrator. Heat pump water heaters are eligible equipment, but not all administrators offer every measure. Funded by the Climate Commitment Act, separate from the federal IRA program.
https://www.commerce.wa.gov/energy/clean-buildings/energy-incentives/hear/

IRA HEAR Rebate (Point-of-Sale)

Not yet available in Washington as of November 2026. Up to $1,750 for income-qualified households when available. Under federal guidance effective May 29, 2026, this rebate covers replacing an existing electric water heater (or new construction). Replacing a gas, propane, or oil water heater no longer qualifies.
Washington has not launched its federal IRA Home Energy Rebate programs (HOMES and the Home Appliance Rebates Program) as of October 2026. The Department of Commerce is awaiting U.S. Department of Energy launch approval. Separately, Washington runs a state-funded Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program, paid for by the Climate Commitment Act, that offers heat pump water heater rebates through local administrators for low- and moderate-income households.

Install requirements in Washington

Code basis: Washington State Energy Code (based on IECC with amendments)

Heat pump preference in energy code

Washington's energy code uses a credit-based system that makes gas water heaters more difficult to install in new construction. Builders who install gas appliances must add compensating energy efficiency improvements. Not an outright mandate, but strongly incentivizes heat pump water heaters.

Seismic strapping

Required in western Washington and other seismic zones. Two straps, upper and lower third of the tank.

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 Washington

A smaller set of representative fits using Washington's 14.2¢/kWh rate. Curated to show different trade-offs instead of listing every published model on every state page. See the full heat pump lineup.

Lowest running cost

A. O. Smith

HPTS-50-2

Lowest annual bill at this state's electricity rate.

$118/yr 46 gal UEF 3.80 63" tall

Best efficiency

GE Profile

PH80S10BPY01

Highest UEF in the published lineup.

$160/yr 80 gal UEF 4.40 76.375" tall

50-gallon sweet spot

Bradford White

RE2HP50-1NCTT

Common replacement size for 1 to 3 people.

$119/yr 45 gal UEF 3.89 64.125" tall

Large-household pick

Noritz

NHP120

Higher first-hour rating for heavier simultaneous demand.

$208/yr 109 gal UEF 3.38 85" tall

Tight-space pick

Bradford White

RE2H50S

Shortest cabinet among the published options.

$134/yr 45 gal UEF 3.44 59.1875" tall

Prefer to buy online? The 45-gallon Rheem PROPH50 T2 RH400-30 is a heat pump available on Amazon.

Check price and availability: Rheem PROPH50 T2 RH400-30 on Amazon (paid link)

Common questions: Washington

Is a heat pump water heater worth it in Washington?

Yes. Washington scores B on RatingPlate's analysis, with estimated savings of $520 per year compared to a standard electric tank. Payback on the higher upfront cost is roughly 4.6 years before rebates.

What rebates are available for heat pump water heaters in Washington?

Washington has 3 rebate programs. The IRA HEAR program has not launched in Washington yet. Verify amounts and eligibility at the links in the rebates section above.

How much does a heat pump water heater cost to run in Washington?

At Washington's electricity rate of 14.2 cents per kWh, the most efficient heat pump water heater costs about $118/yr to run. A standard electric tank costs about $639 per year.

Do I need a permit for a heat pump water heater in Washington?

Washington has 2 state-specific requirements: Heat pump preference in energy code, Seismic strapping. Most jurisdictions also require a standard plumbing or mechanical permit. Check with your local building department.

What is the payback period for a heat pump water heater in Washington?

Without rebates, the payback period in Washington is approximately 4.6 years based on $520 in annual savings versus a standard electric tank. With available rebates, payback could be significantly shorter.

Your next click

All heat pump modelsCompare specs across brands Back to homepageCompare other types or find a specific model Lowest cost: A. O. Smith$118/yr in Washington Sizing guideWhat size do you need? Replacement cost guideEquipment, labor, and hidden costs Heat pump vs gas tanklessCompare technologies across fuel types

Sources

Electricity and natural gas rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential sector (EIA, 12-month avg. through Aug 2026).

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 updated November 1, 2026. Data freshness varies by source.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. RatingPlate may earn a commission when you use qualifying Amazon links. Links to Amazon are marked "(paid link)". We never display prices because Amazon prohibits showing prices outside their platform.