A hybrid water heater looks like a regular tank with a small heat pump on top. Quality Service Company, LLC installs them in Florence, SC and across the Pee Dee. If your home runs on electricity, it’s worth a look the next time your water heater needs replacing.
Here’s how a hybrid works, how it compares with a standard electric tank, and how to tell if your home is a good fit.
How does a hybrid water heater work?
A standard electric tank heats water with electric elements, the same way a stove burner makes heat. A hybrid does most of its work a different way.
Its heat pump pulls warmth out of the air around the tank and moves it into the water. Your refrigerator does the same thing in reverse. Moving heat takes less power than making it.
A hybrid still has electric elements. It can use them when the house needs a lot of hot water at once, or when the air around the tank is too cold for the heat pump.
How much more efficient is a hybrid?
DOE says a heat pump water heater can be two to three times as efficient as a standard electric tank. Water heaters are compared by their Uniform Energy Factor, or UEF. A higher number means less energy for the same hot water.
The Rheem hybrid we install is ENERGY STAR certified with a 3.50 UEF. You’ll find the UEF on the yellow EnergyGuide label of any water heater, so you can compare models side by side.
Hybrid vs. standard electric tank: what’s different?
- Energy use. The hybrid uses less electricity for the same hot water.
- Up-front cost. A hybrid costs more to buy and install than a standard tank. Your plumber will quote both before any work starts.
- Space. A hybrid needs air around it. A standard tank can sit in a small closet.
- Sound. A hybrid has a fan and a compressor you can hear when the heat pump runs. A standard tank is quiet.
- Drain. A hybrid pulls water out of the air and needs a drain line for it.
- Controls. The Rheem hybrid has five operating modes, including a Vacation setting, and EcoNet Wi-Fi for energy reports and maintenance alerts.
Where does a hybrid fit in a Florence home?
Rheem’s manual calls for more than 700 cubic feet of space around the tank. That’s about the size of a small bedroom. A garage or a roomy utility room often works. A small closed closet often doesn’t, unless it gets louvered doors or ducting.
The tank also cools and dries the air around it. In a Florence summer, that helps in a hot garage. In winter, a tank inside the heated house takes some of that heat with it, so placement matters.
It needs a 208 to 240 volt circuit on a 30 amp breaker. Many homes with an electric tank already have that circuit, but your plumber will check your panel first.
What if my home has natural gas?
A hybrid makes the most sense in an all-electric home replacing an electric tank. If your street has natural gas, a gas tankless water heater is another option. Read whether a tankless water heater is worth it to compare.
Are there rebates for hybrid water heaters?
Duke Energy Progress offers rebates on qualifying heat pump water heaters. Amounts vary and programs change, so check Duke’s current program before you plan. If a co-op such as MPD Electric or Santee Electric serves your home, ask it what it offers. Your provider is on your bill.
How do I know which size I need?
We install the Rheem hybrid in 40, 50, 65 and 80 gallon sizes. The right size depends on how many people live in the home and how much hot water you use at the same time. Your plumber will ask about showers, laundry and the dishwasher before recommending one.
Frequently asked questions
Will a hybrid water heater work in winter?
Yes. When the air around the tank gets too cold for the heat pump, the electric elements take over. You still get hot water. A spot that stays above freezing keeps the heat pump doing most of the work.
Does a hybrid water heater need maintenance?
Yes. The air filter needs cleaning, and the tank needs flushing like any tank heater. The EcoNet app sends maintenance alerts. Learn more about plumbing maintenance.
Who installs hybrid water heaters near me?
Quality Service Company, LLC installs hybrid water heaters in Florence, Darlington, Hartsville, Manning, Timmonsville, Effingham and Sumter. We’re an authorized Rheem dealer for water heaters. Learn more about hybrid water heater installation, or call (843) 920-2004 or book online.