Master Plumber’s Guide to Hybrid Water Heaters

Refrigerators take heat from an enclosed area and push it outward. A hybrid water heater — also called a heat pump water heater — works in the opposite way. It pulls heat in from directly outside of it and sends the heat to its enclosed water tank. Hybrid heaters use this outside warmth to heat the water, which make them great fits for places with hot climates — like our beloved, weird Austin. Then during times of high hot water demand, the hybrid water heater switches to the standard method of heating water directly like a tank style water heater. This gives you the best of both worlds and means that you will never run out of hot water.

The biggest advantage of a hybrid water heater is that it will never run out of hot water – even if you are using multiple showers at a time. It is the ultimate luxury in hot water. They are also very energy efficient, which means they are better for the environment & your community. A very unique perk of hybrids is that they can cool & dehumidify a space up to 700sf – perfect for a studio, garage or workshop. You likely wouldn’t need an AC unit in these spaces!

The up-front cost to install a hybrid water heater is much higher than a standard tank style unit and they are only compatible with electric power sources. You can’t get a gas-powered hybrid. It also requires very specific placement. They need to be installed in rooms that are at least 12’ x 12’ to have enough air to draw heat from, and they might not fit well in areas with lower ceilings because the heat pump is on top of the unit. They don’t function well in colder climates, so they aren’t an option at all if you don’t live in a warm climate like our customers in Texas.

As mentioned earlier, this unit works best in areas with hot climates, like Austin. They only function well in spaces that are constantly at or above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. So, these units would not function well in regions that can get quite cold, such as Alaska and New England. 

There are several things to consider when choosing an installation spot:

• Find a dry, indoor area that’s protected from freezing temps — like an attic, closet, utility room, or garage. 
• Make sure that there’s at least 7″ clearance around your water heater from objects, including appliances and walls.  
• Ideally, you should have a drain for the condensate line. If you don’t have one, you can add a pump or run the line outside. 
• Since the unit gets rid of hot air around it, place it somewhere you don’t mind being cold. Rooms closest to the hybrid heater will get pretty cool.

These units last significantly longer than conventional water heaters. Tank-style heaters last about 8 to 12 years. Hybrid units run for about 13-15 years.