Q:Β We are in the market for a new water heater and wondered what you think about heat pump water heaters. How do they work?
A:Β Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of heating up water directly. A stand-alone heat pump water heater pulls heat from the surrounding air and dumps it into a tank to heat water.
Sometimes homeowners install this type of device in a furnace area or near a washer and dryer. Thatβs because this type of water heater must be installed in a spot that remains in the 40- to 90-degree heat range year-round. Heat pump water heaters can be very efficient and greatly reduce the cost of hot water. But I think Iβd prefer to install a solar water heater that would produce free hot water.
Go to rosieonthehouse.com for more do-it-yourself tips. An Arizona homebuilding and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning “Rosie on the House” radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
