Water heating accounts for around 18% of the average home’s energy use. Switching to an energy-efficient heat pump water heater can make a difference on your utility bill and is an essential step in lowering the carbon footprint of your home.
What are heat pumps?
Heat pumps aren’t a new technology. In fact, if you have a refrigerator in your home, you already have a heat pump. Heat pump water heaters work like a refrigerator in reverse – they use electricity and refrigerants to take heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to water in the tank. This heat transfer technology makes heat pump water heaters three times more efficient than gas-powered water heaters.
What are the benefits?
- Reduced emissions: Heat pump water heaters don’t rely on fossil fuels. Switching from gas to electric heat pump versions could reduce California’s emissions from water heating up to 77%.
- Safety: Because heat pumps run on electricity, they eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide leaks.
- Save money over time: Heat pump water heaters use less energy than a conventional water heater which may lower your energy bills and save you money over time. Heat pumps also allow you to preheat water during times of the day when power is cheaper and store the hot water for use during peak times when costs are higher.
- Longer lasting: Heat pump versions have a lifespan of around 13-15 years, while conventional versions typically need to be replaced every 10-12 years.
Can I afford a heat pump water heater?
Rebates are available to make heat pump versions a more economical option for MCE customers. Single-family homeowners who install a heat pump water heater are eligible to receive a $1,000 rebate through BayREN Home +. Contractors may also be eligible to earn up to $6,600 in rebates through TECH incentives. Homeowners in Marin County also qualify for Electrify Marin’s $500 heat pump water heater rebate, with an additional $1,500 for income-qualifying homeowners.
What’s next?
Electrifying the appliances that we use every day can help lead us to a fully decarbonized future. Heat pump water heaters are a great place to start, but you can do other things to fully electrify your home, such as switching to heat pump space heaters and electric or induction cooktops. Learn about the electrification options available to you so that you’re prepared when you need to replace an appliance.
For more information about MCE’s energy savings offerings, visit mceCleanEnergy.org/home-savings
If you live outside MCE’s service area but want to learn more, visit https://www.switchison.org/
