cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/34021020
I recently installed an Emporia Vue with monitoring for the individual circuit my water heater is on. It captured the very significant difference in energy usage from replacing resistive heat with heat pump.
What’s the upfront price difference in the water heaters?
My utility company chipped in $1,600, so it ended up being the cheapest option anyway. The federal tax credit is 30% of the project cost up to $2,000, and it is still good if you install before the end of the year.
This 65gal Rheem heat pump water heater goes for $2,150 plus shipping and install.
This 55gal Rheem resistance water heater goes for $820 plus about equivalent shipping and install as a heat pump water heater
In my area (in the SF Bay Area) there’s barely any upfront cost, as there’s something like $4k in local and state rebates plus the 30% federal tax credit.
2-3x more expensive, but they normally pay off in about 5 years.
Home depot regularly has them on huge sales and it paid for itself within two years just by the electric savings.