Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Genius Of Hot Water Heat Pumps. Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Enter coupon code UNDECIDED for an extra 3 months free at https://surfshark.deals/undecided Today is a really hot topic: heat pump water heaters. No, it’s not sexy, but water heater technology is kind of ingenious with its simplicity. A typical electric water heater has two heating elements; one near the bottom and one near the top, all housed in a very well insulated cylinder. As cold water is fed in near the bottom of the tank, the hot water is pushed out near the top. It’s also pretty simple efficiency-wise. For each unit of electricity that’s used, you get one unit of heat energy added to the water.
However, my water heater is wearing one additional piece of technology on top … like a hat. It’s a heat pump. That means for every unit of electricity I’m spending I’m getting 3 to 4 units of heat added to the water. It’s way more efficient than any electric or natural gas water heater you can get, but hybrid heat pump water heaters have some quirks and challenges. Also, my setup is a little unique … like … what’s that strange mini-me version of a water heater sitting next to it?
Watch What I Learned After 1 Year with New Solar Panels youtu.be/zsjhD1InL64?list=PLnTSM-ORSgi7FwYRnWkpCSkAeFOzrgh5h
Paul Braren's experience with the Rheem noise issue:
tinkertry.com/three-year-heat-pump-water-heater-review
Corrections:
08:49 - I've updated one of the charts used in the video. I converted therms to kWh for the gas vs. electric energy use chart. It's now truly apples to apples, which highlights how inefficient gas is vs. electric. But it also highlights how dirt cheap gas heating is! Updated chart is on my website (link below).
Video script and citations:
https://undecided.tech/the-genius-of-hot-water-heat-pumps/
Get my achieve energy security with solar guide:
undecided.link/solar-guide
Follow-up podcast:
Video version - youtube.com/channel/UC4-aWB84Bupf5hxGqrwYqLA
Audio version - undecided.link/stilltbd-podcast
Join the Undecided Discord server:
undecided.link/discord
👋 Support Undecided on Patreon!
patreon.com/mattferrell
⚙️ Gear & Products I Like
https://undecided.tech/shop/
Visit my Energysage Portal (US):
Research solar panels, heat pumps, and more to get quotes for free!
undecided.link/energysage
For a curated solar buying experience (Canada)
EnergyPal's free personalized quotes:
undecided.link/energypal
Tesla Referral Code:
Get 1,000 free supercharging miles
or a discount on Tesla Solar & Powerwalls
https://ts.la/matthew84515
👉 Follow Me
Mastodon
https://mastodon.social/@mattferrell
Mastodon
https://mastodon.social/@mattferrell
Instagram
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Website
https://undecided.tech
Some music provided by Epidemic Sound
undecided.link/epidemic
I may earn a small commission for my endorsement or recommendation to products or services linked above, but I wouldn't put them here if I didn't like them. Your purchase helps support the channel and the videos I produce. Thank you.
The Genius Of Hot Water Heat Pumps. Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Enter coupon code UNDECIDED for an extra 3 months free at https://surfshark.deals/undecided Today is a really hot topic: heat pump water heaters. No, it’s not sexy, but water heater technology is kind of ingenious with its simplicity. A typical electric water heater has two heating elements; one near the bottom and one near the top, all housed in a very well insulated cylinder. As cold water is fed in near the bottom of the tank, the hot water is pushed out near the top. It’s also pretty simple efficiency-wise. For each unit of electricity that’s used, you get one unit of heat energy added to the water.
However, my water heater is wearing one additional piece of technology on top … like a hat. It’s a heat pump. That means for every unit of electricity I’m spending I’m getting 3 to 4 units of heat added to the water. It’s way more efficient than any electric or natural gas water heater you can get, but hybrid heat pump water heaters have some quirks and challenges. Also, my setup is a little unique … like … what’s that strange mini-me version of a water heater sitting next to it?
Watch What I Learned After 1 Year with New Solar Panels youtu.be/zsjhD1InL64?list=PLnTSM-ORSgi7FwYRnWkpCSkAeFOzrgh5h
Paul Braren's experience with the Rheem noise issue:
tinkertry.com/three-year-heat-pump-water-heater-review
Corrections:
08:49 - I've updated one of the charts used in the video. I converted therms to kWh for the gas vs. electric energy use chart. It's now truly apples to apples, which highlights how inefficient gas is vs. electric. But it also highlights how dirt cheap gas heating is! Updated chart is on my website (link below).
Video script and citations:
https://undecided.tech/the-genius-of-hot-water-heat-pumps/
Get my achieve energy security with solar guide:
undecided.link/solar-guide
Follow-up podcast:
Video version - youtube.com/channel/UC4-aWB84Bupf5hxGqrwYqLA
Audio version - undecided.link/stilltbd-podcast
Join the Undecided Discord server:
undecided.link/discord
👋 Support Undecided on Patreon!
patreon.com/mattferrell
⚙️ Gear & Products I Like
https://undecided.tech/shop/
Visit my Energysage Portal (US):
Research solar panels, heat pumps, and more to get quotes for free!
undecided.link/energysage
For a curated solar buying experience (Canada)
EnergyPal's free personalized quotes:
undecided.link/energypal
Tesla Referral Code:
Get 1,000 free supercharging miles
or a discount on Tesla Solar & Powerwalls
https://ts.la/matthew84515
👉 Follow Me
Mastodon
https://mastodon.social/@mattferrell
Mastodon
https://mastodon.social/@mattferrell
instagram.com/undecidedtech
Website
https://undecided.tech
Some music provided by Epidemic Sound
undecided.link/epidemic
I may earn a small commission for my endorsement or recommendation to products or services linked above, but I wouldn't put them here if I didn't like them. Your purchase helps support the channel and the videos I produce. Thank you.
