HPWH

Equipment and Systems - Water Heaters pillar

Also known as: Heat Pump Water Heater, heat-pump water heater

Heat Pump Water Heater. Uses a small heat pump to move heat from surrounding air into the tank, achieving COP 2.5 to 4.0 versus 0.95 for resistance.

A heat pump water heater (HPWH) replaces the resistance element in an electric tank with a heat-pump cycle that pulls heat from surrounding air. Typical COP of 2.5 to 4.0 means it uses one-third the electricity of a standard electric tank. ENERGY STAR-rated HPWHs hit UEF 2.0+. They need 700+ cubic feet of surrounding air space (basement) and produce ~10F of cooling and 5-10 pints/day of dehumidification as a side effect. Save on Energy Home Renovation Savings rebates up to $1,000. Annual operating cost in Ontario: $180 to $230 versus $560 to $680 for a standard electric tank.

See the full Ontario HVAC and home energy glossary or browse the Water Heaters pillar.