Heat Pump Hot Water Heaters: Terms to Know

Heat pump water heaters are the future of domestic hot water. They will minimize operation costs and simplify electrification projects by reducing the load on the electrical panel.

Here are the key terms to know to help navigate the world of heat pump hot water heaters:

• Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH): Let's start with the basics. A heat pump water heater is a type of electric tank water heater that uses a heat pump to transfer energy from the surrounding air to heat water for domestic use. It takes less energy to move heat instead of producing it with fuel combustion or electric resistance. This allows heat pump water heaters to be 300-400% efficient. 
• Tank Size: This refers to the storage capacity of the tank, measured in gallons or litres.
• Energy Factor (EF): The energy factor is a measure of a water heater's overall efficiency in converting input energy (electricity) into hot water output over a typical day of use. A higher EF indicates a more efficient water heater that will use less energy. This allows homeowners to compare between brands and models.
• First Hour Rating (FHR): The first-hour rating represents the amount of hot water a water heater can deliver during the first hour of use. A FHR of 60 gallons means that a water heater can deliver up to 60 gallons of hot water in the first hour of operation. This is valuable to know for homeowners who use large volumes of hot water for short periods.

Still have questions?

If you have any further questions about whether a heat pump water heater is right for you, reach out to our team of experts. We're here to help you enjoy all the benefits of a modern, efficient hot water system for years to come!

Book your free virtual home consultation with a Jouleia expert here.