What is the downside of a hybrid water heater?

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Hybrid water heaters are booming in popularity, but that doesn&#;t mean they are the perfect solution for every household. While they are highly energy-efficient and can reduce your utility bill, they have some disadvantages. As with all major appliance purchases, knowing what you&#;re getting into is essential before you commit to a unit that will last 10 years or more. Here are the four downsides of hybrid water heaters that you should be aware of before making the switch.

1. High Up-front Cost

Hybrid water heaters include heat pump technology to heat the water and a typical electrical heating system to supplement it. As it consists of two technologies in one unit, these heat pumps are significantly more expensive upfront than a comparable electric-only model. Sure, they pay for themselves in reduced utility bills, but this typically takes a few years.

Those in California don&#;t need to worry as much about this upfront cost. The state government currently offers thousands of dollars in potential rebates for hybrid water heaters. That makes the price of these units and gas water heaters comparable. We can help you assess if you&#;re qualified.

2. A Little Larger

Many hybrid water heaters (specifically the models we install) have many intelligent design features to make them simple to install. Still, there is no getting around the fact that these water heaters are a little larger than other types. If space is tight, we may need to make changes to get your water heater in place. Or, it may fit perfectly. It all depends on your home. This won&#;t be a problem for most people, but just in case, we can sort out if a hybrid water heater will fit in your home.

3. Still Relies on a Tank

You may have heard of the benefits of tankless water heaters, including that they can produce a specific volume of hot water for as long as you want them to&#;quite literally. Unfortunately, hybrid water heaters still rely on a tank, which means that at some point, they max out on hot water and need to recover. Thanks to their electric backup, recovery is always quick. They do have generous tank sizes too. But if you need to take exceptionally long showers or have other uses for tons of hot water, a tankless water heater may be a better choice.

4. Includes a Drain and Filter

They need additional parts such as a drain line and a filter to accommodate the heat pump technology that makes hybrid water heaters so energy-efficient. These components need more maintenance and potentially not the kind of maintenance you&#;re used to providing for a heat pump. For example, the filter needs to be changed. The drain line may need to be descaled.

The good news is that more regular maintenance can keep the unit working longer, well past the life span of a typical electric water heater.

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Many of the benefits of hybrid water heaters, especially those installed through Blue Planet Plumbing, are covered on our Water Heater Service page, but we&#;ve also gathered some additional pros &#; and some cons &#; for those who love digging into the details.

Cost Savings and Return On Investment

One of the more significant benefits of hybrid water heaters is the potential cost savings. According to the Department of Energy, the annual operation cost of an electric water heater for a two-person household is roughly $900 a year. For hybrid water heaters, it&#;s $150. This creates a return investment potential of roughly $750 annually. 

The lifespan of a hybrid water heater is 15 years, so with proper maintenance, you will return and recoup your investment including Blue Planet&#;s installation and water heater cost. Most clients see a return on their investment in roughly 4 to 7 years with another 7 to 8 years left on the lifetime and warranty on the water heater. This is the fastest return on investment on the water heater market to date. 

While tankless water heaters are very trendy, they have a long return on investment of somewhere around 15 to 18 years. While you do save money by not heating water in standby mode the savings are minimal. The installation cost comparison between a hybrid water heater and a tankless water heater are extremely close.

Tank sizes are very important for return on investment. It is important to have a large reservoir of standby water created by the heat pump so you do not have to wait on recovery time, which can be up to three hours. A mistake some homeowners make is getting a hybrid water heater that is too small. Blue Planet Plumbing technicians will review the best tank size for your home during your site evaluation.  

Dehumidification

Hybrid water heaters create a byproduct of a roughly 62° air temperature that is very beneficial for conditioned spaces. They also dehumidify during operation. Should they need to be installed in an environment that would not be beneficial to have 62° air then the air can be ducted out of the building quite easily.

Potential Downsides 

Installation costs can be out of budget for some homeowners. Hybrid water heater installation is about 25% more expensive than traditional electric water heaters. Most installation jobs start at a little over $ depending on the brand, model, size, and type of water heater you select.

Hybrid water heaters require at least cubic feet of space for installation, which often isn&#;t an option in smaller homes and spaces. 

They also create some noise and should not be installed in noise-sensitive areas. The noise range is around .52 decibels. We like to explain it as it creates the same amount of noise as a window air-conditioning unit.

When to Choose Tankless

Tankless water heaters should be reserved for individuals or businesses that are having issues with running out of hot water. For example, county and city government, food services, healthcare, car washes, restaurants, daycares, and laundromats cannot function without hot water.  

Some customers simply prefer tankless water heaters or they do not have the correct conditions for a hybrid water heater. If conditions are not suitable, tankless water heaters are the next best option.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Monobloc Heat Pump.