Rheem HP-50 Hybrid Heat Pump Electric Water Heater Preview

[WinterHaven]

There are a lot of moving parts. Is this going to last many years? My current old fashioned electric water heater is 8 years old, still works great, and my previous one was about 18 years old before it died. What if the moving parts quit working how efficient is it going to be when the water heater dies and having to call repairmen..I have "energy smart" on my electric water heater, and a timer that goes off during the wee hours. so my water heating bill isn't that bad.

[MattRisinger]

@WinterHaven Good point on the moving parts. However, it's tough to ignore the efficiency of these units compared to resistance heating. Heat pumps in houses last for 10-15-20 years so I would expect that a small heat pump unit like this would have a long life span. With any newer technology you need to weigh risk of breakage vs longevity of a proven product. Toyota Prius owners have to weigh that when comparing an all gas engine that's super reliable/long lasting. Matt Risinger

[WinterHaven]

@MattRisinger I have a heat pump, and I have to get it serviced every 6 months by technicians as part of "maintenance". DOES this require someone to come out every 6 months to tune it up or whatever?? My refrigerator is over 10 years old and it works like a charm. But only time will tell if this water heater hybrid device will have the same longevity - at such an expensive price tag.

[derkawren]

lol at "woops sorry" at 2:03

[HVACSmartSystems]

I am here saying hello

[MattRisinger]

@HVACSmartSystems HELLO!

[MrEnergyCzar]

I just posted a video showing the GE version which has a better energy factor rating than the Rheem....

[GoMetricToday]

Are they noisy? Do they need to be installed in a basement or garage? My hot water heater is in a space behind my bedroom closet.

[MattRisinger]

Be careful about a closet install, these need to be installed in a room with enough air flow for the unit to take the heat out of the air and move it to your water. Check with the Rheem website but I think it's a min 10x10x8' room. They're fairly quiet but you'll have fan noise and a small compressor kicking on. Best to mount this in a utility room, garage, or crawl space. -Matt

[GoMetricToday]

@MattRisinger I live in manufactured home. I have done many things to make it more energy efficient. To my surprise my energy bills have been greatly reduced. My current water heater is in a space behind my closed right behind the AC unit. Sadly I don't have a garage, utility room or crawl space. But I measured the space that the current water heater is in and it fits the dimensions that you stated. Thank you for your help. ;o)

[mrbasicshark]

Cool video, but I wish someone would post one showing it installed and in use.

GE has a couple of posting with iti n use, but I am yet to see a Rheem.

I currently have a 21y.o. Nat. gas water heater. I need to replace, after searching online, it seems that most of the new gas WH have pilot light issues. So I am thinking about going electric (will be easy to change over, as I have an unfinished basement). Trying to deciede between the Rheem or GE hybrid.

[MattRisinger]

I just posted a follow up video showing this unit installed an in use. -Matt

[MrEnergyCzar]

I almost got the Rheem for my net-zero solar powered home but it only had an energy factor of 2.0 versus the 2.35 for the GE...Plus the homeowner is very limited by Rheem's temp "range" rather than single digit control like the GE's...the homeowner will never know what they are missing because its a great product anyway...

[mrbasicshark]

@MrEnergyCzar : Thanks for the info. I ended up going with the GE and so far I am happy with it.