Using Your Heat Pump Water Heater
Here are some operational and maintenance tips to help maximize your heat pump water heater’s performance and efficiency
Heat pump water heaters give you lots of hot water while using less energy and contributing to a cleaner environment. They’re a more efficient alternative to fossil-fuel options, delivering everyday performance you can count on. With proper installation, they run reliably, require little maintenance and are easy to control.
Heat Pump Water Heater Operations and Settings
Most heat pump water heaters have four basic operating modes. Some units may have additional operating modes, depending on size, or may use different names for settings.
Heat Pump Only Mode
This is the most energy-efficient mode because it only uses the heat pump to heat your water.
Auto/Hybrid Mode (sometimes called Economy Mode)
This is typically the default setting which relies primarily on the heat pump, using supplemental electric resistance only if needed.
Resistance Only Mode
This is the least energy-efficient mode because it uses electric resistance rather than the heat pump to heat your water, which may reduce your bill savings.
Vacation Mode (not available on all models)
This lets you set your unit in "sleep" mode to save energy while you’re away.
Source: ENERGY STAR®
With ComEd’s Hourly Pricing, you can program your heat pump water heater to take advantage of times of day when electricity is less expensive, or even negatively priced, to heat your water and keep it hot for when you’re ready to use it.
Maintenance and Care
Heat pump water heaters require little maintenance and generally have a longer life span than standard water heaters (13-15 years versus 10-12 years) and virtually all include ten-year warranties. As with any appliance, maintaining your heat pump water heater can improve its performance and prolong its life. Be sure to read and follow the maintenance guidelines for your particular heat pump water heater.
Freshen Up Filters
A heat pump water heater comes with a small filter that should be checked and replaced or cleaned as recommended by the manufacturer. Most units provide automatic alerts when the filter needs cleaning.
Drain Your Tank Yearly
Like all water heaters with tanks, a heat pump water heater should be drained and flushed once a year. This gets rid of any sediment buildup in your tank and can increase the lifespan of your heat pump water heater. Follow the manufacturer instructions.
Additional Resource:
Check out this ENERGY STAR Heat Pump Water Heater Best Practices guide.