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Which is best heat pump water heater?
Answer: AO Smith/ State/ American/ Lochinvar
2019/
 
Use 6 wraps teflon tape
? White for water lines
? Yellow for gas lines

Buy:
Teflon tape at Amazon

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Pipe wrench at Amazon
Channel locks

Resources:
How to remove rusted element


Buy:
Knipex channel locks
Irwin pliers
replace anode rod
Inspect anode each 2-5 years
Anode rod prevents tank from rusting
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Anode rods at Amazon

Resources:
Replace anode rod
How to maintain water heater

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Impact wrench at Amazon

Resources:
Replace anode rod
How to remove short water heater nipple
Water pressure gauge

Pressure gauge/ attach to water heater drain valve
Pressure over 80 psi can damage water heater and household plumbing
Buy:
Water pressure gauge
Temperature-pressure gauge

Resources:
Identify water heater valves
Troubleshoot water pressure
Automatic water heater shut off valve
Prevent flood
Automatic water shut off valve
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Water detectors at Amazon
Automatic water heater leak shut off at Amazon
Resources:
Leaking water heater/ steps
Pressure reducing valve
Pressure reducing valve
Pressure over 80 psi can damage water heater and household plumbing
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Pressure reducing valve

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Identify water heater valves
Troubleshoot water pressure
Sharkbite pressure gauge
Sharkbite pressure gauge

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Sharkbite pressure gauge

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Water heater valves

Water heater circulation system

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Grundfos at Amazon

Resources:
How to install recirculation system
COLD side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector
COLD side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector

Buy:
Sharkbite water heater connection
Braided water heater line
Stainless steel flexible connection

Resources:
How to install electric water heater
How to install gas water heater
Leaking water heater
HOT side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector
HOT side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector

Buy:
Sharkbite water heater connection
Braided water heater line
Stainless steel flexible connection
Braided water heater line
Flexible water heater connection

Resources:
How to install electric water heater
How to install gas water heater
Leaking water heater

Larger image
Is it a Heat pump or Hybrid water heater?
All models have back up elements so they are both Heat Pump and Hybrid

Heat pump means the unit uses approximately 240 volt, 2.5 amp, 600 watt per hour refrigeration cycle to heat water .... using a compressor and evaporator to pull heat out of surrounding air and circulate the hot refrigerant through a (non-replaceable) condenser coil that surrounds lower part of steel tank.
 ... it works the reverse way a window air conditioner uses refrigeration cycle to cool a room, or a refrigerator/ freezer keeps food cold.

Hybrid means a mixture of energy sources for heating water
 ...it means using the heat pump compressor to draw heat from ambient room temperature and transfer to water
... and using 240 volt, 6.25-19 amp, 1500-4500 watt per hour heat elements for back up heating when the heat pump cannot keep up.

+When elements are being used, then heat pump operates like ordinary residential non-simultaneous water heater ... both elements are never ON at same time. Either the upper element is ON or lower element is ON or both are OFF
++Using 600 watt heat pump instead of 1500-4500 watt elements is the basis of saving energy vs ordinary electric water heater because the refrigeration cycle can heat water effectively.

Resources:
How the heat pump works .pdf
General scope of analysis
Who sells Heat Pumps?  .... The GE heat pump was sold to Bradford White ... Bosch and HTP are no longer making heat pumps ... so there are 4 companies to choose from and each has different offering.... with AO Smith and Rheem offering a selection that are also sold under other brand names, Steible offering their internationally marketed model, and Bradford offering the improved GE model.
All brands of heat pump water heaters are good.
All brands are expensive, large and heavy when they arrive, and heavier when filled with water.

Weights given are approximate ... and based on reported shipping weight, which probably includes packaging, highly useful marketing literature, boards and other marginally recyclable items etc.
Shipping, packaging, un-recyclable waste, marketing, bribing your government to issue rebates*, and other peripheral items are part of the cost you pay, but are not included in energy calculations that demonstrate a savings vrs ordinary electric water heater.

Energy standard mandates Heat Pump.
April 2015 energy standard mandates Heat Pumps for any electric heater over 50 gallon. Home with 6 people or oversized bathtub typically requires first hour delivery 80 gallons (the amount of usable hot from one continuous draw). The 80 gallon Heat Pump can supply 80 gal first hour. But installing two ordinary 40 or 50 gallon heaters can likewise supply 80 gal first hour without the ongoing regular maintenance required of Heat Pumps: cleaning air filter each 6 months, cleaning the evaporator coil periodically, and maintaining condensate tray and drain tube to ensure no blockage.
Resources:
Two water heaters
2015-Department-of-Energy Rule on Water Heaters /pdf

All brands of heat pump use same technology, and get same result.
All have approximately same operating parameters with only minor differences.
All brands have heat pump, hybrid, and element modes that work same way. They automatically switch to elements when heat pump cannot keep up. Each has vacation mode that keeps water temps above freezing.
Unless installed in unheated garage etc, all heat pumps use ambient temperature of home to heat water ... basically consuming energy from HVAC to heat water while claiming astounding energy savings vs heaters that do not leech energy from other sources.

EUF numbers are not considered.
EUF is NOT 'efficiency' ... it's a testing procedure set by government mandate, with manufacturers expected to do their own testing lol.
EUF varies by heating mode, which will vary throughout any day depending on mode and if elements are being used.
The variability of heating mode, questionable policy of self testing, and leeching energy from HVAC render EUF meaningless.

All brands require adequate incoming and outgoing air space
700-800 cubic feet is typical.... 10x10x7 room ... 2 louvered doors ... or 8" duct
"Installation in a confined space will lead to higher power consumption if adequate ventilation is not provided."
All models have optional 8" diameter duct system to bring in air supply and expel air that passes through the evaporator coil

Differences in electronic gadgetry are not considered
Electronics increase vulnerability to surge on all heat pump brands.  Nearby lightning strike or simple power outage can destroy electronics.
Electronics increase repair costs for heat pumps ... and across the board for all appliances, water heaters, timers, TVs, cars etc.
Wifi offered by Rheem compromises privacy.
Install whole house surge inside main breaker box or type 3 surge at heat pump unit. Circuit can have multiple surge protection. The closer the protection is to Load, the better it protects, so type 1 inside main breaker box plus type 3 located at heat pump provides best protection.
Ordinary residential electric water heaters are mechanical, and not susceptible to surge nor exposed to same risk of repair expense and loss of function as heat pumps.
Resource:
How to install whole house surge protector

My analysis does not include price or availability.

... but it urges folks to compare total cost of buying and running a heat pump vs ordinary electric heater. When the average $400 repair or maintenance bill is factored into purchase price plus the yearly operating cost divided by expected life of heat pump, it alters the saving from heat pump more in favor of ordinary tank-type electric heater .... that cost less to buy ... cost more to operate yearly ... but is smaller and lighter weight .... can be installed inside enclosed space or dusty, dirty environment with clothes piled on top ... can sit flat against wall and does not need space above heater to clean air filter ... does not need 700 square feet of air supply, louvred door, 8" ductwork, floor drain,  ... can be maintained to last indefinitely by changing anode each 3 years ... and can be repaired quickly and easily DIY using generic parts.
 Resources:
Read heat pump cost analysis
Two water heaters

My analysis emphasizes product resources such as parts sheet and service manual
... which narrows my recommendation to AO Smith/ State/ American/ Lochinvar (all AO Smith brand except sold under different names)
Aside from service manuals, the AO Smith brands come with instruction manual has solid troubleshoot section and shows 5 pages of maintenance required to keep unit in tip-top shape to support efficiency and longevity ... cutting overall cost of owning heat pump. AO Smith heat pump manuals

Compare 80 gallon heat pumps/ 4 different brands
AO Smith all 3 models, Rheem all 3 models, Bradford White makes 2 models, Stieble Eltron makes 1 model
Charts below contain information from product manuals issued by each manufacturer
Model Gallon
rating of tank
Warranty:
Tank and parts.
Labor 1 year all models
First hour delivery...
80 gal for oversized tubs
Temp
set
range
Anode...
Prevents tank from rusting
Volt and
amp
 Elements... can be replaced with any wattage 8" Duct kit
Raises cost of buying
 Water connections Digital interface...
Install whole house surge protector in main panel to protect electronics
Air temp range for Heat pump operation Sound
level when new
AO Smith heat pump manuals
AOSmith
HPTU
82 10 year
Tank
and parts
84 gal
From 1 continuous draw
95-
140°
2 Stainless
anodes
2 gives longer life
208-240
30 amp
60 Hz
Two 4500 watt
Generic
Yes
expel only
3/4" IP
side
Programmable up to 99 days. Mode/
Diagnostics
45–120°F N/A
AOSmith
FTPU
80 6-year
Tank
and parts
84 gal 95-
140°
2 Stainless
anodes
208-240
30 amp
60 Hz
Two 4500 watt
Generic
Yes
expel only
3/4" IP
side
Programmable up to 99 days. Mode/
Diagnostics
45–120°F N/A
AOSmith
HHPT tall
77 6 year
Tank
and parts
73 gal 95-
150°
Powered
anode is best type
240
30 amp
4500 & 2000 watt
Generic
Yes
Read
3/4" IP
side
IP is pipe thread
Communicates current status Mode/
Diagnostics
45–109°F N/A
Stieble heat pump manuals
Stieble
300E
75x27
79.8 10 year 74 gal 95-
149°
Unspecified Anode 220-240
15 amp
50-60 Hz
1500 watt
Generic
Yes 1" IP
side
Communicates current status Mode/
Error Messages
42–108°F 52
DBA
Bradford heat pump manuals
Bradford
RE2H80
T10
80
10 year
Tank
and parts
Read
87 gal w elements
N/A Magnesium
Shorter life less odor
Read
208-240
30 amp
60 Hz
4000 &
4500
Generic
Yes
100'\
expel and intake
Read
3/4"
Top
connection
Communicates Current Status Mode/
Error Messages
35-120°F
best for zone 3
55 DBA
Bradford
RE2H80
T6
80 6 year
Tank
and parts
87 gal w elements N/A Magnesium 208-240
30 amp
60 Hz
4000 &
4500
Generic
Yes 3/4"
Top
connection
Communicates Current Status Mode/
Error Messages
35-120°F 55 DBA
Rheem heat pump manuals
Rheem
Prestige
72 10 year
Tank
and parts
89 gal
w 30A
elements
Max
140°
Resistor
anode
unproven to add benefit
30A
15A
5000
or
2250
Yes
expel and intake
Read
3/4" IP
side
wifi
water sensor
Mode/
Error Messages
37-145°F 49 DBA
Rheem
Platinum
72 10 year
Tank
and parts
89 gal
w 30A
elements
Max
140°
Resistor
anode
30A
15A
5000
or
2250
Yes
expel and intake
3/4" IP
side
wifi
water sensor
Mode/
Error Messages
37-145°F 49 DBA
Rheem
Builder
72 10 year
Tank
and parts
89 gal
w 30A
elements
Max
140°
1 Anode unspecified 30A NA Yes
expel and intake
3/4" IP
side
wifi
Energy usage reporting
Mode/
Error Messages
37-145°F 53 DBA
Installation/ maintenance
Brand Minimum Room size without duct kit or louvered intake Min intake space for air filter Min repair space away from wall Min exhaust space in front Condensate/ TP valve floor drain required  Clean-wash Air intake filter
each 6 months
Evaporator coil needs cleaning yearly Maintenance cleaning steps show in manual Service manual
AO Smith
brands
750 ft³
10´ x 9' x 8´
Intake and Air filter on top.
HTTP tall has filter on side.
6"
3 feet best
3 feet min
6 feet best
Yes Yes
Can vacuum in place or remove to wash
Yes, if air filter not cleaned Yes
6 pages Read
Yes
Read
Stieble
Eltron
800 ft³
10´ x 10´ x 8´
See room dimensions
15-3/4"
Intake and air filter on side
8"
6 feet Yes Filter not shown or mentioned in manuals.
Yes Yes
3 pages Read
No
Bradford
White
700 ft³
10´ x 10´ x 7´
8" Intake and Air filter on top 7"
See image
7" ... "Free and clear" is best Yes Yes
8" headroom
Yes, if air filter not cleaned Yes
2 pages Read
Service brief
Read
Rheem
Ruud
700 ft³
10´ x 10´ x 7´
Read
6" Intake and Air filter on top 6"
NA
Yes Yes 6" headroom Yes, if air filter not cleaned No
1 paragraph Read
No
AO Smith brands
AO Smith, American, State, Lochinvar models/ 50-66-80 gallon

How is it different?
HPTU and FTPU have easiest air filter to clean ... air filter is directly on top of unit and can be cleaned with vacuum, or replaced as needed. The taller HHPT is available in 80 gallon only and has intake and filter located on side.

AO Smith has service manuals for all models.
AO Smith brands come with instruction manual that shows required maintenance and parts diagram.
Parts, such as air filter etc, can be ordered directly from company.
The combination of service manuals and maintenance and parts diagram means the heat pump can stay at peak efficiency while reducing cost of possible repairs and need for hiring service technician ... this improves bottom line performance of heat pump.
The taller HHPT model has powered anode rod which never needs replacement, and prevents odor ... power anode is best overall for protecting tank from rusting, and best for rural water types that have odor problem caused by harmless bacteria reacting with regular anodes.
The HPTU and FTPU 66 and 80 gallon units have 2 anode rods ... which can improve protection of steel tank and prevent rusting. The 50 gallon has a single anode. AO Smith manuals show anode location and replacement.

Service manuals affect my recommendation
***Service manuals are available for AO Smith, American, State, Lochinvar models (all the same brand except sold through different company).
Useful manuals are why I recommend these brands (each the same as AO Smith)
 Why? Because service information empowers folks to learn and work on DIY solutions that give lifelong benefit ... and a service manual gives you that advantage.

Service manuals
-AO Smith 10-year warranty Service manual for 50-66-80 gallon models
-Lochinvar 10 year warranty heat-pump Service Handbook for 50-66-80 gallon models/ pdf
-80 gallon 6-year heat pump service manual

All AO Smith heat pump manuals
AO Smith heat pump manuals
Bradford White AeroTherm
Larger image
How is it different?
This is the (tried and true) GE heat pump with similarities to the most recent discontinued models from GE ... similarities like air intake located on top and magnesium anode rod ... and same basic parts sheet ... but with updates, for example electronics, color and appearance of exterior shell, access panel for temperature sensor port, user interface, error-fault codes are different, and 8" duct option for both incoming and outgoing air ... other differences are unclear. 
Resource
: Review GE heat pump
Old GE manuals
Bradford White manuals
Has duct kit for both incoming and outgoing air supply for installation inside enclosed space.... if ducting is installed from outdoors to outdoors, it allows heat pump to operate separate from HVAC, and serve as a true water heater. Disadvantage: If incoming duct is installed, it must be removed to clean air filter.
Only heat pump with top water connections.
Has lightest weight vs other brands.
Has lowest temperature range for heat pump operation ... 35-120°F  ... best for cold regions (zone 3)
Good service brief helps diagnose and repair problems, saving money overall.
Magnesium anode (also found on GE heat pumps) is less reactive than typical aluminum-zinc anode rod, and good for rural water types that have odor problem caused by harmless bacteria reacting with aluminum anodes. Magnesium eliminates health concerns over aluminum anode ... footnote: magnesium can be used to replace any aluminum anode on any heater Resource: Replacing anode rods
Magnesium anodes generally do not last as long as aluminum anodes, and might require inspection/ replacement more frequently, but Bradford has a good service instruction manual for replacing anode. The anode protects tank from rusting.

Bradford shows spec sheet for a 6-year warranty 230 volt 50 Hz heat pump on their site for Britain, possibly Australia, France, India etc and other countries with that power supply, but no further information. Spec sheet for Bradford international heat pump
50 Hz appliances will not work with 60 Hz power supply in Americas. 60 Hz will not work with 50 Hz countries in rest of world.
Appliances rated 50-60 Hz will work worldwide if voltage is correct. Hz or cycles is the number of rotations per second of power company generator.

Bradford White has a good service brief and parts sheet for the AeroTherm, making my recommendation higher than Rheem and Stiebel.
Resources
Bradford service brief
GE service manual 2012
Bradford heat pump manuals
Bradford White anode rod replacement
Stieble heat pump illustration:
No service manual for Steible.

How is it different?
The Steible heat pump is rated 50-60 Hz for worldwide electric grid, while other brands are 60 HZ and made for electric grid in Americas.
The Stieble Accelera heat pump has air intake located on side ... while other brands have air intake on top
Stieble claims to have a 'pure Heat Pump' because they have only 1 'booster' element rated for 1500 watts ... thus reducing overall hybrid function that heats water with element.
All other brands have 2 elements with higher wattage, although they can be replaced with lower wattage for slower heating.
The single booster element design might give Stieble an advantage in the race for overall energy efficiency, but also means you will run out of hot at times...
But then the objective of heat pump technology is to reduce element usage ... so there you are.
Stieble does not show or mention air filter or cleaning air filter in their manuals .... and says "Maintaining the full output of the water heater at all times requires an occasional professional cleaning of the evaporator."
Resource
Stieble heat pump manuals


Rheem: Why no service manuals ? Why no maintenance instructions or parts sheets?
This is why I do not recommend Rheem and Ruud brands, otherwise Rheem water heaters are reliable products that perform as expected.

How is it different?
The product is pretty.
The only heat pump company to follow you around on the internet with advertisements after vising their site, which increases overall cost of product and is pretty annoying.
Has a well-explained duct installation system ... for sale at Rheem but at a cost not included in energy calculation Read ducting info
... the duct can be installed on both incoming and outgoing air supply for installation inside enclosed space.... if ducting is installed from outdoors to outdoors, it allows heat pump to operate separate from HVAC, and serve as a true water heater. Advantage: the air filter can be cleaned without removing incoming duct.
Lowest reported noise level.
2nd best temperature range for heat pump operation ... 37-145°F  ... 37° is good for cold regions (zone 3) ... and 145° is best for attics and very hot regions ... but electronics working correctly under 145°F temperatures seems unlikely, unless there is a cooling cycle built into the circuitry, since high heat adversely affects all things electrical. Note: if it's 145° in the attic, that's hotter than most water heater thermostat settings and no energy would be needed to heat water.
Wifi app is available to monitor your heater while Rheem peers over your shoulder ... the app is the only free thing offered from Rheem ... meaning the app is designed to wring more profit out of you by stealing and selling your information which is pretty rude ... possibly selling error messages to local service providers who can barrage you with email and advertising offers.

Rheem does not post service manual ... there are no maintenance steps ... no parts sheet except a few external parts ... the manual doesn't even show the anode rod location ... which is pretty inconvenient.
Instead, the Rheem manual says: "Should you have any questions about your heat pump, or if it requires adjustment, repair, or routine maintenance, it is suggested that you first contact your installer, plumbing contractor or previously agreed upon service agency," which is pretty expensive.
So Rheem offers a free app to wring more profit out of you, instead of providing basic money-saving maintenance and repair information ... and wants you to sign up with a service provider ... as if the public should remain powerless, uninformed and dependent on paying someone else for basic work they can learn.

-For those like me who search for repair and DIY resources .. you cannot 'create an account to access rheem library' without having a contractor number associated with Rheem dealership, which is pretty ridiculous ... but also narrows your choice of repairmen, likely increasing price of repair since only certain folks can access repair information ...
-Lockdown of information means Rheem demands exclusive rights to any repairs and is reason I do not recommend Rheem.

Resources
Why I do not recommend rheem water heaters
Rheem heat pump manuals
Non comparable: Considerations true for all types

Heat pump water heater zone chartLocation 
-must be free from corrosive elements in the atmosphere such as sulfur, fluorine, and chlorine ... found in aerosol sprays, detergents, bleaches, cleaning solvents, air fresheners, paint, and varnish removers, refrigerants, and many other commercial and household products.
-must be free from excessive dust and lint may affect the operation of the unit.
-heater should be located where tank or connection leakage will not damage the area or lower floors of structure.

Ambient air temperature must be considered.
-in Efficiency Mode the ambient air temperature must be above 45°F and below 109°F ... variable by brand
-if ambient temperature falls outside the upper and lower limits, then electrical elements activate to meet hot water demand and heat pump does not operate.

Cold temperatures mean less efficiency
Heat pump water heaters are most useful in hot-or-warm climates.
 In cold climates, heat pump efficiency drops when back-up heat elements are used to heat water.
During winter, the furnace is heating the air that heat pump uses to heat water.
So you are heating water using the furnace, which is not efficient, and cancels estimated savings predicted by owning Heat Pump..

Attic/ High heat:
avoid exposing water heater to temperatures over 120°F
Heat pump will revert to elements if heat is too high
All brands of heat pumps make noise.
"Install where typical home appliance sound will not cause disturbance."
55 decibels is loud enough to interrupt normal conversation

Rheem 49
Stieble 52-60
Bradford 55
AO Smith NA (not available)
Duct
Illustration from Rheem/ altered to scale with shading and wording added
Air flow shown in illustration follows red arrows from left to right with the inlet air filter located on top of heater.

-Depending on need, the Heat Pump can be installed with duct ... with just the inlet duct, or just outlet duct, or both inlet and outlet duct.
Installing louvered doors is another option to increase air flow.

All brands of heat pump offer ducting kit.
Rheem and Bradford White have duct kits for both incoming and outgoing air supply, allowing for installation inside enclosed space.... if ducting is installed continuously from outdoors to outdoors, it allows heat pump to operate separate from HVAC, and serve as a true water heater. The cost and inconvenience of ducting runs up the overall cost of heat pump, and will probably never pay back if unit requires extensive ductwork and remodeling, or axillary blower fan etc.
The Rheem model has best overall duct system vs Bradford because Rheem air filter can be cleaned without removing duct. While Bradford White incoming duct must be removed to clean filter.
Stieble duct kit is not specified. AO Smith has duct kit for outgoing air supply, but no resources that show ducting for incoming air.
AO Smith also offers additional booster fan kit to go along with duct, that would probably work with any brand heater.
Resource:
Example Ducting manual
Booster fan kit manual
Install duct on HHPT tall
Example duct installation tables


All heat pumps: Air filter is cleaned each 6 months
Do not rely on electronic gadgetry to notify of maintenance... be alert and responsible.
Avoid dusty, dirty, greasy environments
The cleaner the environment, the less cleaning is needed.
If filter is cleaned regularly, then the evaporator coil will not get dirty.
Running unit with dirty filter or without filter will damage equipment and lessen expected energy savings.

Air filter is located on incoming or inlet side of heater.
Typical access requires removing 2 screws or some other simple mechanism.
If 8" duct is used on inlet side, then duct might need to be temporarily removed to access filter.

AO Smith filter on HPTU and FTPU  models can be inspected and cleaned in place using vacuum or with wet cloth.  HHPT tall has air filter on side, accessible by snapping out grille.
 Periodic inspection and cleaning with vacuum cleaner each 6 months will improve efficiency of all heat pumps.
You can also remove and wash with water. Must be dry before reinstalling ... wet filter can cause damage to the condensing unit. Periodic replacement might be required.
Do not use cleaning compounds or brushes on the filter or cloth, or risk damaging filter material.

Bradford and AO Smith product manuals give instructions for cleaning filter.
Rheem gives no instructions, instead the manual says you need regular maintenance and should 'schedule a service call.' A service call every 6 months completely skews cost-benefit of owning a heat pump vs ordinary electric water heater that requires almost no service.
Stieble does not mention or show air filter in their manual, or show a filter in any parts diagrams, saying instead that the evaporator needs periodic cleaning, and to 'avoid greasy environment' ... which would certainly gum up the evaporator.
All brands heat pump must be installed level (plumb) to ensure proper drainage of the condensate tray located under the evaporator coil.
All brands must have a floor drain to route flow of water safely away from causing damage to property. The water is just condensed moisture taken from surrounding room. If climate or location is arid, with little moisture in air, then condensate drain will produce little or no water.
The condensate drain on heat pumps must be cleaned periodically.

floor drainFloor drains typically mean sloped floor. Add shims (stainless fender washers with adhesive) ... or use a cementitious mixture ... under water heater to ensure it stays level.
GE heat pump condensate drainAll brands of heat pump produce condensation
Heat pumps come with a plastic drain line that is connected to the condensate tray.
The plastic condensate line needs to be kept clean to prevent water damage to home.
If condensate line is blocked, the overflow will let water run down side of heater.

How it works: Fan pulls air from room into evaporator Warm moist air passing through evaporator causes water to condensate on coils and drip down into condensate tray. Water empties out of tray into condensate drain line and flows to bottom of water heater.
Condensate line should drop down side of tank and terminate at or above adequate floor drain.

Some people use a tin can, or bucket and then dump bucket periodically. This could be a source of mold inside home. Don’t let water in bucket get higher than drain line. Use a pump to evacuate condensate water into household drain.

If condensate drain is clogged, water will drip down side of water heater.

Check and clean condensate drain lines periodically
Remove condensate line, take outdoors, use wire to make sure ends are open, swing line around over head to clean tubing, and then rinse outdoors. Water inside tube is not clean and contains bacteria. Let soak in bleach. New condensate line can be installed periodically to offset problems
Clean heat pump condensate line



Clean evaporator coil once per year?
"Proper cleaning of the supplied, washable air filter should prevent evaporator from getting dirty."

"However, should the evaporator become dirty, it must be cleaned to maintain performance of the heat pump"
"The most effective way to clean the evaporator is to use a commercially available spray cleaner
intended for cleaning air conditioner evaporators." Do not breathe these chemicals.
Maintaining full output might require occasional professional cleaning of evaporator. .
Resource:
Cleaning evaporator coil on heat pump

Evaporator may not be easy to access because of compressor, fan blade and housing.
Undo screws and remove water heater cover. Remove air filter as needed. Carefully clean evaporator fins. You can use water and a soft brush. Tape a soft-bristle toothbrush to a stick. Never use acidic or alkaline cleaning agents.
If evaporator has not been wet, then use compressed air to blow out dust. Do not expect detailed instructions or illustrations in any product manual.

Ordinary electric water heater needs less maintenance than heat pump.
Resource:
Typical Water heater maintenance

heat pump energy guideResearch says: 
Overall, heat pump ''succeeds in providing hot water for all scenarios tested and can maintain a high level of performance, even at low ambient temperatures.'
Resources:
Cost of operating heat-pump water heater/ html
Gov laboratory evaluation of heat pumps 2011 (unknown who paid for research)

Yes heat pumps work as promised, but....
claim of savings is tempered by purchase price, noise, need 10 x10 space for installation (or a duct kit), yearly maintenance, limited life of product, cost of repairs and parts, and other factors.
Heat pump blows cold air into room, which lowers ambient room temperature and ... heat pump can work against itself.
Works against HVAC ... using energy from HVAC to heat water.
Best suited for warm climate where ambient air temperature is warm ... for example installing heat pump in unheated Florida garage would yield better result than installing inside home and expecting HVAC to heat your hot water while heat pump claims credit for energy savings.

heat pump coefficient of performanceCoefficient of performance
Coefficient of performance shown on right illustrates the general proportion of energy that comes from the ambient air temperature surrounding the heat pump. Using heat pump technology can save energy if the ambient temperature of air is supplied by natural outdoor temperatures (solar heating) and not from the HVAC.
There are no numbers, from any study, that attempt to calculate the energy spent by HVAC, furnace etc to heat ambient air used by heat pump. But if the furnace is supplying the hot air that heat pump uses to heat water, then it disqualifies claims of savings from using a heat pump.
It would be nice if the 'free market' included full and accurate disclosure instead of constantly running the puffery over us at 100 mph..

All Costs are energy, what is total cost of a heat pump?
Total energy-cost equals cost of water heater, plus installation, plus expected repairs-and-parts, plus disposal-recycling cost, divided by years of tank life. These numbers are added to monthly energy cost to measure true energy cost & efficiency of a water heater.
Government/industry efficiency numbers consider only energy cost per gallon of heated water ... and they assume all other costs will be the same no matter what type of heater is used ... which is not true, because the perpherial costs of ordinary electric heater are far less, even though the cost per gallon of hot water is more.

Where's the electric meter that proves savings?
If the overall reason we are using Heat Pumps is to save energy ... save the planet ... conserve resources ... all greenie weenie ... then....
-Where are the before and after meter readings from homes that saved so much money using Heat Pumps?
-Put up the REAL world numbers  ...add a small kilowatt hour meter to each water heater ... couldn't cost more than a bit on the retail end...
Resource
How to add electric meter to water heater

My Opinion: Heat pumps are well made for what they do
Corporations make claims to sell products. That's legal. That's what it takes...
... but corporations have co-opted our government into passing a mandate that we buy Heat Pumps, under the guise of saving energy if we want electric heater larger than 50 gallon, that can deliver 80 gallon first hour. **
The 'scientific studies' that show huge energy savings consider only the cost of heating water using the heat pump ... while ignoring the cost-savings analysis that should include purchase price, maintenance, cost of repairs, repairability, limited lifespan, replacement cost and leeching energy from HVAC ... and include how easy the unit is to recycle later when the heat pump becomes unserviceable, and the leaking refrigerant is released into the planet's lungs ... or your lungs to be precise.

** there are still 'ordinary' 2-element 80-100 gallon electric water heaters, but by law, they must be enrolled in a 'demand response program' where the heater is controlled by electric utility. Read spec sheet
It appears the AO Smith version is just a large Energy Smart heater without the display panel on front.
It might be possible to rewire this type heater for normal 2-element operation, but the price of buying the unit is probably on par with heat pump. The units have EF .92 for 77-80% actual efficiency.
The mandate for heat pumps eliminates advantages of owning an ordinary 80 gallon electric and the many ways you can rewire and utilize that amount of storage ... but then, you can buy two 40 gallon heaters ... and manufacturers also sell 80 gallon heaters with one element that are generally used for solar storage.

Rebates
Remember that a government rebate is you borrowing money from yourself to buy a product you wouldn't ordinarily buy ... so the question becomes... if the numbers don't add up without a rebate, why would you loan yourself money to buy it anyway?
And more to the point, who is running your government to make such a decision for you?
It might be an effort to perform grand experiments in energy ... which is remotely plausible ... except who is compiling data for the experiment? The stockholders of companies selling the products?
This applies to rooftop solar PV systems and Heat Pumps and a host of other big ticket items in 2019 that supposedly SAVE ENERGY ... go green they cry ... coal n oil are bad, puke ... ok, it's true ... except all costs are energy ...
If the solar panels push a trickle of electrons (let's say 20 amps) into the system, not enough to run the 30 amp Heat Pump water heater more than an hour or two a day maybe, and the solar panels cost more to buy than the power they generate ... then how is that saving energy?
The energy landscape is changing fast, as people demand response to global warming ... expect action after the crisis hits, whether that be massive increases in electric costs, or widespread flooding of oil refineries accompanied by plague of locust.

The only way rebates make sense is to argue that all costs are NOT energy ... that costs are far inflated and what matters is you hurry up and buy a product so ... so ... you can feel better thinking you're doing your part?? For crying out loud, move into a trailer with 6 other people without hot water if you want to do your part, except the government would never award that trailer an energy star because it has single-pane windows, despite per capita numbers that could prove it is more efficient than where you live.

My final conclusion
If heat pumps are the miracle cure for global warming, conveniently consolidated into an expensive 300lb piece of machinery, taking up a huge space in your home, requiring maintenance and cleaning, and noisily blowing cold air while using your HVAC to heat water, then bacon can fly.

Exclusion would be heat pumps that operate in unheated garage located in naturally warm climate ... but then if the climate is warm, why isn't the water being heated using solar instead of buying a colossal machine?
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