What Is a Hybrid Water Heater?

When looking for a water heater, you might stumble across a hybrid water heater. The new technology seems intriguing because it offers traditional and tankless water heaters benefits while eliminating the drawbacks. But what is it, and is it a good fit for your home?

A hybrid water heater is a type of appliance that uses both a tank and a heat pump to heat water. The advantage of this design is that it can be much more efficient than a traditional tank water heater or a tankless water heater.

An Overview

A hybrid water heater, also known as a heat pump water heater, combines the mechanism of a traditional and tankless water heater. It runs on electrical power, but instead of generating heat from electricity, the machine draws heat from the air around the appliance. 

Hence, it uses less energy than a conventional electric water heater.

The advantage of this design is that it can be much more efficient than a traditional tank water heater or a tankless water heater.

How Does It Work?

The mechanism of a hybrid heat pump is similar to an air conditioner that works in reverse. The refrigerant inside the evaporator coil is responsible for absorbing heat from the ambient air around the unit. 

The freon gas will then transfer the heat to a heat exchanger and release it into the tank where the water is. As a result, the water temperature rises.

This heating process will work only when you need it to. Therefore, it will not consume energy if you are not using the appliance. Moreover, it does not generate heat from electrical power, making it more energy-efficient than a standard water heater.

When you need hot water, the heat pump kicks on and draws energy from the air around it to heat the water in the tank. 

This means there is no wasted energy because the heat pump only uses as much energy as it needs to heat the water.

The other advantage of this design is that the hybrid water heater can provide an endless hot water supply. Unlike a tankless water heater, which can only offer a limited amount of hot water before it needs to recharge, the hybrid water heater can keep going as long as you need it.

Is It the Right Choice for Me?

The answer to that question will depend on your home.

A hybrid water heater unit is taller than a traditional tanked water heater. It also requires free space so the machine can use the open air to take the heat. 

If located in confined spaces, the system will lose its efficiency, increasing energy consumption and shortening its lifespan. Therefore, the technology will be suitable for your house if you have ample space to install it.

And since the system takes in heat from the air, its performance will depend on the climate. For example, the system can run easily if you live in a mild to tropical climate. On the contrary, a hybrid water heater will work extra hard if used in a cold climate.

Another thing to consider is that this technology requires electricity. It won’t be a problem if you already have the network installed. But if your previous water heater was gas-powered, switching to a hybrid will require installing the necessary electrical line. 

That means it will be a high initial cost. A hybrid water heater is also not advisable if your house already has a gas line because it would be a waste.

Hybrid water heater technology adds a compelling option to the market. But be careful because the system is not advantageous for every household. If you are still unsure about this appliance, you can ask your dealer for more detailed information. Then, the dealer may be able to suggest the one that suits your situation the most.

 

ECM Air Conditioning, with its headquarters located in Boynton Beach, FL, provides air conditioning services within Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, and St. Lucie County. If you’re looking to have a new HVAC system installed, we’re on-call and ready to assist you. So if you’re in need of an HVAC installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an inspection! Our HVAC installation experts will check your ductwork, measure, check wire sizes, and more before making recommendations to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort. Call us at 561-295-1763 or contact our HVAC installation team online by clicking here.