Homeowners throughout Tucson, AZ, are looking for ways to make their home more sustainable and efficient. Compared to a traditional water heater, heat pump water heaters are more environmentally friendly and can save energy. If you are looking to switch to a heat pump water heater, it is crucial that you first learn about how they work, their benefits, and what it takes to maintain them. This ensures that you make an informed decision of your home upgrades.
Functioning Basics
A heat pump water heater uses the surrounding air to heat water inside its tank. They do not directly generate heat like a traditional gas or electric water heater does. However, to move the heat, they do use electricity.
A compressor, evaporator, and condenser are the three primary elements of a heat pump water heater. The evaporator absorbs the heat that the unit acquires from the air surrounding it. This transfers to a refrigerant gas. Next, pressurization of the gas occurs in the compressor. The refrigerant gas is now hot and flowing through the heat exchanger coil, sending the heat to the water inside the tank. The air is now cool and goes back to the evaporator. The cycle keeps repeating to keep the water inside the tank hot.
There are three modes of operation with this water heater. You’ll want to choose the heat pump mode when you want to secure the most energy efficiency possible.
While rarely used due to higher energy consumption, there is an electric resistance mode as well. When you use this option, it works like a traditional electric water heater.
You also have hybrid mode. When you use this option, it uses a combination of both modes. This is the best selection when your home uses a lot of hot water each day.
A professional can help you choose the right mode. They can also let you know when it is the right time to switch between modes to get the most efficiency from your water heater.
Heat Pump Water Heater Benefits
Compared to a traditional electric water heater, a heat pump variety offers several benefits. It is more energy efficient. When looking at how much electricity they use, the heat pump version provides as much as three times more hot water for the same amount of electricity. This can help lower your utility bills and your home’s energy usage without sacrificing the hot water available for your family.
A heat pump water heater functions quietly, especially compared to a traditional water heater. Since it does not need fossil fuels, it is more environmentally friendly. If you use a low-carbon or renewable source of electricity, the environmental impact is even lower.
You can expect at least 10 to 15 years of life from this water heater. As long as you tackle the maintenance on schedule, it tends to last longer than a traditional water heater. You should have a professional come about once a year to do a full inspection and perform routine maintenance. This allows you to catch any issues early and keep your system in good working order.
This type of water heater may help with your indoor air quality. It dehumidifies the surrounding air while it is operating. A good balance of humidity will help to remove airborne particles that can reduce the quality of the air in your home.
Installation Considerations
You want your water heater to be as efficient as possible and ensure that it performs optimally. To do this, you have to ensure proper installation. There are several factors a professional will consider when choosing the space to install your heat pump water heater.
These water heaters work well in Tucson since the climate is moderate to warm most of the year. This allows for optimal efficiency since the unit uses the surrounding air. If the air surrounding it is very cold, it requires more energy to use it to heat the water.
There are units in varying sizes. A professional can assess your home’s demand for hot water and determine the best size of unit.
Proper ventilation is critical for this type of water heater. You want to ensure that it is adequate so that cooled air does not build up in the area. This will also help with the air quality in the space. Your unit’s lifespan and efficiency may decrease if there is a lot of polluted or dusty air in the area.
Talk to the plumbing professional installing your unit about the quality of the water coming into your home. If your water has a high mineral level or is hard, you might consider treating or softening it. This can help increase the lifespan of your unit.
Having a professional install your water heater will also ensure that you are fully compliant with location regulations. If the installation requires a permit, they will know how to obtain it so that everything is to code. They will also ensure correct installation so that you do not have any premature issues stemming from improper installation.
Increasing Longevity and Efficiency
Ensuring that your water heater lasts for as long as possible will protect your investment. There are several things that you can do to get the most life out of your unit while also maximizing its efficiency.
The first thing you need to ensure is that you are scheduling regular maintenance for your water heater. A professional will look at all of the components of your unit to spot signs of wear and tear. They can recommend any repairs or replacements at this time. As they complete the task, they will also check the refrigerant levels and clean the coils.
An inspection of the thermostat is also completed, making sure that it is running at the most efficient temperature. If they can lower it, they will do so to decrease energy consumption. If your water heater has the ability, they will talk to you about timer settings. This allows you to use the heater during times when there are lower electricity rates. You get the same hot water but a reduced utility bill.
During the inspection, they will ensure proper airflow and ventilation. This involves looking at the ventilation system and the area nearby to see if there are any obstructions that need to be moved.
Insulation is vital for this type of water heater. They will ensure proper insulation of the water heater’s tank and the hot water pipes. This is important to maintain hot water temperatures and limit heat loss.
Professional Plumbers in Tucson
A heat pump water heater can be an excellent option for some homes in Tucson. Our professional and experienced plumbers can help you with everything from learning the basics about this type of water heater to installing and maintaining it. Our experts are here when you need other home tasks completed as well. We can help with your drains, other types of water heaters, pipes and fixtures, and even water treatment.
Contact Cal’s Plumbing in Tucson for your heat pump water heater needs.
