The American Water Heaters Residential Hybrid Electric Heat Pump model HPE10280H045DV joins the class of the most efficient electric water heaters made. American Water Heaters estimates this water heater can save a family of 4 up to $360 per year in energy costs.
The American Water Heaters heat pump water heater uses a heat pump system that is very much like a refrigerator running in reverse to heat the water. The heat pump does not make heat, but instead takes heat from the ambient air in the room and pumps it into the water in the tank. The heat pump’s compressor uses only 850-watts to operate yet can transfer over three times the amount of heat into the water that the 850-watts of energy could make using resistance heating. The heat pump can also aid in cooling and dehumidification of the air in the room in addition to heating the water.
The American Water Heaters residential hybrid electric heat pump model HPE10280H045DV has an 80-gallon tank and has three standard modes of operation.
- The Efficiency Mode uses just the heat pump to heat the water yet if the ambient air temperature or, water temperatures are outside the optimum range for the heat pump will revert to using the resistance heating elements for water heating. In the Efficiency Mode the Energy Factor is 2.3 and a First Hour Delivery of 70-gallons is provided.
- The Hybrid Mode uses a combination of the heat pump and resistance elements heating the water to provide the most economical heating while meeting your needs. In the Hybrid Mode the Energy Factor is 2.3 and the First Hour Delivery is 84-gallons.
- The Standard Mode uses just the resistance elements to heat the water functioning as an ordinary electric water heater and is the least efficient mode of operation. In the Standard Mode the Energy Factor is .85 and the First Hour Delivery is 76-gallons.
The American Water Heaters residential hybrid electric heat pump water heater is an 80-gallon tank that measures 24.5” wide and is 81.5” high, tipping the scales at 410 lbs. The water heater requires a minimum of 240-volts single phase, and a circuit breaker of 25-amps. to provide electrical power for operation. Also required is a minimum room size of 750 cu. ft. for operation of the heat pump, and a condensate drain. The residential hybrid electric heat pump model HPE10280H045DV comes with an electric powered anode to help prevent corrosion of the tank, T&P valve, 2” non-CFC foam insulation, and a brass drain valve. The water heater is also provided with a 10-Year Limited Tank and a 10-Year Limited Parts Warranty
The American Water Heaters Residential Hybrid Electric Heat Pump model HPE10280H045DV has a 3.1 Coefficient of Performance (COP) which makes the unit energy star compliant. This makes people who purchase and install the unit eligible for rebates under the appliance stimulus program, many state rebate programs, and utility rebate programs. A 30% Income Tax Credit up to $1500 is also available for people who purchase and install this water heater.