Heat Pump Water Heaters are Hot

In colder climates, traditional water heaters are installed in basements or utility rooms on the main level. Heat pump water heaters have the additional benefit of providing dehumidification and cooling in those locations. For example, the GreenTronic delivers a half-ton of cooling capacity. Depending on the home and climate, dehumidification can provide additional savings by eliminating the need for a standalone dehumidifier and the electricity to run it. The cooling effect is even more beneficial in hotter climates and thus gives homeowners one more reason to upgrade to a heat pump water heater.

Utility rooms typically are as small as possible to maximize living space. Make sure that the room provides enough airflow to meet the manufacturer’s recommendations, such as 700 cubic feet in the case of the GreenTronic. If the room isn’t big enough to provide that, two options are installing a duct adapter or replacing the door with a louvered model to increase airflow.

Installations near living spaces also highlight the importance of choosing a heat pump water heater that’s quiet. For example, the GreenTronic operates at just 49 dBA, which is comparable to better-quality refrigerators. Dehumidification can play a role here, too, by eliminating the noise of a standalone dehumidifier, which can run 60 to 70 dBA.

Drainage is another important consideration because heat pump water heaters produce condensation. The daily amount varies based on factors such as the humidity level, but the bottom line is that it’s not acidic and thus can go into the existing floor drain or condensate pump. It should not be drained into the overflow pan.