Finding the Best Location for Your Heat Pump Water Heater

The popularity of electric hybrid water heaters in USA is growing and none too soon. This technology has been in widespread use in the rest of the civilized world for some time, now and its introduction to the American market is good news for the economy. These devices can produce hot water with no more than a fraction of the energy a normal water heater would use.

If you are one of those people who already know about heat pumps and thinking about getting one for your home’s hot water systems, you deserve to be lauded for being concious about your energy spending and having some sensitivity for the future of our planet. Perhaps you are still in the search phase, trying to find the best heat pump water heater. Perhaps, you have already decided on a model or maybe you have already bought it. Whatever stage you are at, an important step to getting the best out of your new water heater is to put it in the right place in your property.

I do not like to be wordy so let me quickly state that it is not a great idea to install a heat pump water heater in your living space. The first disadvantage of this location has to do with noise. A heat pump has a fan that constantly runs and it is not the type of noise you want in a place that you want feel some peace and relaxation. Some hybrids are claimed to be rather quiet but the actual noise produced can vary from unit to unit and there is no need to try your luck with anything that has a fan. In addition, a heat pump placed inside your home will absorb the warth in the air and cool the place. This can sound good in the summer but it is going to add to your bills in the winter and adding to your bills defeats the purpose of this appliance. Some people put relatively small heat pump water heaters in a closet inside the house, which is again not the best thing to do because a hybrid needs a large room to work efficiently.

To conclude, being noisy and large appliances, heat pump water heaters should be located in remote but spacious places such as a basement or a garage. This way, you will avoid the disturbing effects of the unit and achieve the highest efficiency.

I am freelance writer interested in home design and product related reviews.