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Best Hybrid Hot Water Heater For 2024

Gretchen Rubin
  Mar 28, 2024 11:24 AM

Looking for an best hybrid hot water heater but can't find one? Because we've been through the entire best hybrid hot water heater research process ourselves, we've put together a complete list of the best hybrid hot water heater now on the market.


Overview

When compared to conventional water heating systems, the finest hybrid water heater provides substantial savings in both energy and money. It's an obvious choice for people who reside in warmer climates, but you might be shocked to learn that people in colder areas can reap its benefits, too. The question that arises now is which specific hybrid water heater is best for your home. I say, let's find out.


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Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Energy Efficiency

Heat loss must be kept to a minimum and heat retention maximized in order to make the most of the hybrid water heater's useful life span. For instance, if you heat water today, it should retain its temperature overnight. You should always go for the product that has the highest energy efficiency rating.

First-hour Rating

Within the first hour of use, the ideal hybrid water heater should supply the necessary volume of hot water. The rule of thumb is to go with the product that has the highest rating after the first hour of use. You can save money by opting for a hybrid water heater that has a larger FHR, such as an 85-gallon unit rather than a 40-gallon one.

Recovery Rate

It's also crucial to know how quickly the system can heat water once it's been used. A hybrid water heater's recovery rate is the rate at which it can restore the water's temperature to your preferred setting after use; this is typically indicated in gallons per hour (GPH). The hybrid water heater performs better the greater its GPH rating.

Operating Modes

It is recommended that a hybrid water heater have at least three different settings.

The heat pump can be used alone in one mode to achieve maximum efficiency. Alternately, water heating efficiency can be optimized by switching from heat pump operation to electric or gas element operation. The third setting adapts as needed to the number of people using hot water, switching between the heat pump and backup heater automatically.

A vacation setting helps keep your device safe while you're away.

Tank capacity

In order to have a steady supply of hot water, the optimum performance from the unit, and the highest efficiency, proper sizing of a hybrid water heater is crucial and should be done properly with the assistance of an expert. Tanks holding up to 50 gallons of water are ideal for two- to four-person households, while those holding up to 80 gallons are ideal for those housing five people or more.

Keep in mind that tiny units will have to work harder and yet not provide adequate power, while oversized heaters would provide enough of hot water but cycle more frequently, putting additional stress on the system.

Control panel

Virtually all modern hybrid water heaters feature digital displays and straightforward menus that allow the user to set the desired temperature, toggle between several modes of operation, and view important data like energy consumption, performance, and leak detection.

If you have a model with built-in Wi-Fi remote access and advanced diagnostics, you may check your phone for specific fault codes.

Flow Rate

How quickly heated water can be dispensed from a hybrid water heater is indicated by its flow rate. Standard units of measurement for this quantity are gallons per minute (GPM), and a GPM of about 2.5 is adequate for everyday purposes.

Keep in mind that the flow rate is directly proportional to the capacity. A high-capacity hybrid water heater, such as the HTP RGH-75F or the GE Geospring, will typically have a higher flow rate than a lower-capacity one.

Fuel Source

The hybrid water heater may run on either electricity or gas. Power from the grid and the gas mains. The hybrid water heater, along with other types of water heaters, often run on propane in North America.

The hybrid water heater may run on either gas or electricity, both of which are viable options. It's not possible to pick a winner. You should select one of the two fuel kinds based on how much money you can save and how easily you can get your hands on it.

Also, some of the best hybrid water heaters allow you to choose between using electricity and gas as a fuel source. They accomplish this by providing a converter set that facilitates effortless transition between the two power sources.

Easy to install

A hybrid water heater doesn't require any special skills to set up, even for a complete newbie. A comprehensive installation guide is often included with most models. In most cases, the installation procedure will not differ greatly from that of a conventional water heater.

Protection

Anodes that are commercial grade, heavy duty, or electronic are necessary for long-term protection and simple upkeep.

Warranty

Currently, the industry norm is for electric water heaters to come with a 10-year warranty, however most conventional models only offer a 6-year warranty.

FAQS

What are the most trusted hybrid water heater brands?

Hybrid water heaters from AO Smith, Rheem, and Westinghouse can all be trusted. Westinghouse, Stiebel-Eltron, and American Water Heaters are alternative brands to consider. If you're in the market for a new hybrid electric water heater, do some research by reading up on the various models available before making a final purchase.

Are hybrid water heaters more energy efficient?

Hybrid water heaters, in theory, can save energy costs by up to 50 percent compared to conventional water heating methods. There are two distinct water-heating components in this system, and you must be aware of each of them. The first type of device makes advantage of the already-existing, cost-free hot or warm air outside. Only the electricity to power the compressor is consumed.

Only when the demand for hot water exceeds the heat pump's capacity will a supplementary heating system be activated. Only if this happens will you waste a lot of effort.

If your household is not one that uses a lot of hot water, you may never have to turn on the electric or gas part of the system. Therefore, you won't need to worry about using too much power to keep the compressor running. The outcome improves both energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

How long does a hybrid water heater last?

There will be warning indications that a hybrid water heater needs to be replaced after around ten years of use. When the heater reaches this age, it's usually more economical to replace it than to keep it in working order. That's about how long a conventional water heater lasts.

In contrast to conventional gas heaters and hybrid water heaters, tankless water heaters do not store water, hence they last far longer.

The lifespan of a hybrid heater is partly determined by the quality of water that it processes. This is because hard water, unlike soft water, has more dissolved minerals and might leave a mineral buildup inside the machine.

Hybrid water heaters located in unheated or uninsulated regions of the home may not have as long a service life as those situated in warmer areas.

It may take more effort to heat water in the winter if you install your hybrid heater in a garage or some other out-of-the-way location.

The lifespan of a hybrid water heater is drastically shortened by a lack of routine maintenance. All of your home's appliances, but especially the ones that use the most electricity, require regular servicing and attention to prevent costly breakdowns.

It is recommended that you keep your hybrid water heater system in good working order by regularly repairing, cleaning, and inspecting it.

Which is better, tankless or hybrid water heater?

There are two types of cutting-edge water heating systems available today: the hybrid water heater and the tankless water heating system. All you have to do is keep track of your finances and analyze their efficiency, performance, running costs, and installation prices.

Once you have narrowed the field to water heaters within your price range, the first step is to evaluate how well they work. Each home has unique heating requirements, and these heaters should meet those demands.

As a result, they have to speed up the process of heating water. These two water heating systems are superior to the standard option and can easily meet the needs of a typical four-person family.

A tankless water heater only heats water when it is being used. It could suggest that the water heater may not be able to heat water for various applications at once. Using hot water, it can power two devices at once, but the efficiency drops down quickly after that.

Hybrid water heaters prevent the aforementioned issue from occurring. You can use it without worrying about running out of hot water, as it is stored in a tank. The water from these heaters is usually not as hot as you'd like it to be because they utilise the surrounding air to do it.

Both of these water heaters nevertheless have a far lower energy footprint than conventional models. An energy-efficient tankless water heater heats water as it is used. On the contrary, a hybrid water system saves energy utilizing a different, more progressive heating process.

Low energy utilization does not always translate into cheaper operation expenses, either. The type of fuel you choose influences the operation costs of the heating system. A hybrid water heater will have a reduced operating cost in an all-electric home because it doesn’t create heat.

Still, it all comes down to how each system is put to use. You'll find that the yearly operating costs for both approaches are close to $200.

These heating systems each have unique requirements and, as a result, have similar installation prices. A longer gas connection to the unit is required to ensure that a tankless heater can continue to provide hot water during peak demand. A hybrid water heater system, on the other hand, requires a huge open space for installation.

 

These two water heating systems are similarly priced, at around $1,600. Based on your specific requirements and the available resources, you can select the best new water heater from the options we've compared.

Conclusion

For large households that need a lot of hot water and require prompt delivery, the most efficient hybrid water heaters, like the Rheem ProTerra, are the best option. They use the ambient air temperature to warm water and cool the surrounding air in hot areas, and to heat and dehumidify the air in cold climates.

Comfort and ease of use are prioritized in their design, and you may expect to see significant annual savings in energy costs as a result. Payback for the hybrids is relatively quick at two to three years because to their high initial cost but low running costs that make them eligible for several state and utility high-efficiency incentive programs.


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