Do I need to go up a size when considering a HPWH?

[cleanstreamplumbing]

I hear you. But cross that with the unreliability (and poor sampling) of internet reviews. And I am not conspiratorial in general, but I think that competing tech often puts out fake bad reviews in general. Millions of these units have been sold.

I have never known anyone with a problem with the HPWH, but many plumbers or techs I talk to says they 'never work', usually while standing next to one. Other plumbers happily install them every day.

In the end a warranty is a warranty, and mine came with a 10 year one I think? I computed a simple payback as 4-5 years in my case, even back when the unit was super expensive. So another way to go is to ask if 'simple payback is much less than warranty period'?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts—this is a great perspective. You're right that internet reviews can sometimes paint an unreliable picture, especially when fake or biased feedback is involved. It's refreshing to hear from someone who’s done the math and had first-hand experience with HPWHs (Heat Pump Water Heaters).


Your point about the split in opinions among plumbers is spot on. Some see the long-term benefits and install them regularly, while others remain skeptical, often without valid performance complaints. At Clean Stream Plumbing Ottawa, we’ve seen that with proper installation and regular maintenance, these systems can work very efficiently and deliver great savings over time.


And yes, a 10-year warranty definitely offers peace of mind. Thinking in terms of "simple payback vs warranty period" is a smart approach—we often encourage homeowners to consider both short- and long-term value, not just upfront costs.


Thanks again for contributing to the conversation!

 

[mellow]

I have an AO Smith 50-gallon water heater, and I am in a family of four. Sometimes we all take showers in the morning. I have flow restrictors on my shower heads. I can get washed off, but it's not like getting pelted with water. The flow is just enough, and I never have issues with running out of hot water.

 

[DBoon]

Recovery does take 6+ hours in the winter in my attached garage.

I have a 50 gallon Rheem and if I drain it completely to 60 degree cold water (I do this occasionally to eliminate hydrogen sulfide smell buildup on the anode rod - not the water heaters fault) it's back to 120 degrees in about 3 hours - this matches the per gallon recovery rate of Woodgeek. Recovery rate is a lot faster than people are led to believe, especially if you aren't pushing them to 140 degrees F. FYI, I am in heat pump only mode (not hybrid).

Also how do you feel about the noise.

You can hear it on the first floor when it is in the basement, but it's kind of a steady hum, not high frequency and whiny, and not too low frequency where it travels everywhere. I don't find it objectionable.