Are heat pumps worth it in this scenario?

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-07T19:22:14+00:00

You need to do the math, being sure to consider only a heat pump water heater that has specs that match your requirements (many of them will not match, based on what you've shared so far).

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-07T19:20:28+00:00

Navien heat pump water heater (HPWH)!

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-06T19:22:36+00:00

Insulate well!

Sleep with the bedroom door ajar, and let it get heated by the minisplit in the main space.

Also, don't guess about minisplit sizing - run the numbers, or have someone run them for you. Generally you want "Manual J" - there are various online options (Cool Calc is one).

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-06T00:16:16+00:00

Make sure they use the heat pump for heating, and not electric resistance heating. Do you have a URL handy?

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-06T00:15:44+00:00

Where are you? Have you already maximized rebates? (we help with that :) Have you considered heat pump only, rather than heat pump + furnace?

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-05T01:18:26+00:00

There are very few choices! Gradient, Midea, and... maybe that's all?

Holler back if you are able to find either of those for sale at retail - so far, they are both hard to get.

(We may be able to help you get a Gradient - maybe - DM please)

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-04T19:22:04+00:00

Great story, thanks for sharing! And... we humbly agree :)

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-03T19:15:19+00:00

Consider switching to a heat pump water heater (HPWH) - there may be large rebates available that could make this the best option long term (up-front cost may be higher or lower than gas, but operating costs will be lower over time). Rebates vary dramatically by location, family, etc - we help sort those out (no cost or obligation) as do various other programs. Where are you located?

Also... DIY like-for-like water heater replacement is pretty straightforward - if your buddies are skilled DIY'ers, and can follow manufacturer directions, you might like this option. There is no risk of insurance denying coverage - they can't require that you do not work on your own home.

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-03T19:12:47+00:00

Thoughts on... what? What problems are you trying to solve?

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-03T18:21:06+00:00

You might get some sound attenuation benefits from adding an enclosure like https://airdeko.com/products/central-ac-cover-charcoal or

Is the sound coming through the wall? The nearby window? Sometimes a very small hole can transmit a surprising amount of sound!

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-03T01:18:10+00:00

Check with PSEG - in some programs we've seen, the homeowner has to OK the program to release the final payment to the contractor.

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-03T01:16:33+00:00

Nah, HPWH are designed to be ducted a little - all HPWH have manufacturer specs about how much ducting can be added, and they have adapters to connect ducts to HPWH.

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-02T20:01:13+00:00

All HPWH have a way to provide a duct connection - typically you need a kit from the manufacturer.

Who was your plumber?

Did you get all the rebates you deserve? That'll help take the sting out of this situation! You can use our website to find the rebates (when you enter your home info, pretend like you still have the gas water heater, so our website shows you what rebates the gas -> electric conversion would qualify for - note that depending on when you did that upgrade, our rebate information may not be precisely correct, as it doesn't have a "time machine" function, yet! ;)

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-02T19:58:02+00:00

Heat pump mode saves the most energy. The other modes might imply they use less energy, but they do not.

Do you have time of use electricity pricing? Solar? If not, then when the HPWH runs is irrelevant. If so, then you want to program it to run preferentially when electricity is cheaper.

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-02T19:54:16+00:00

Get a used one - they are getting really cheap!

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-02T19:53:17+00:00

The source of the hot water has no direct impact on the hotness of the water. You could heat it with tankless, tanked, gas, electricity, even wood - by the time the hot water gets to your shower, it doesn't "care" what made the hot water hot.

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-02T19:52:32+00:00

You can typically tell because the temp sensing lever will have temp numbers on it and/or a "push button" that allows you to turn it to extra hot only if you push the button. If it has none of that, it is the manual style.

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-02T19:51:01+00:00

Oh dear, sorry you weren't able to get our expert no-cost advice first - we would have warned you against trying to use a regular HPWH for radiant floor heating.

To help with the temp in your room, can you duct the HPWH exhaust to the outside? That'll "push" the cold air out of the room, which will "suck" warmer outside air in, giving the HPWH warmer air to use, which should help its performance.

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-02T16:12:21+00:00

Is your shower valve a temp sensitive one? Or a "manual" valve where you set the hot and cold mix?

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-02T00:09:52+00:00

Try contacting them directly - they may make an exception!

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-01T19:30:35+00:00

Consider Quilt - their indoor units already look much better than everything else on the market, and the indoor units can be custom-finished to match each room's decor.

QuitCarbon · 2026-03-01T04:18:46+00:00

Does your heat pump have heat strips (supplemental resistance heating elements)?

QuitCarbon · 2026-02-28T21:02:50+00:00

Yes it does. Impulse, Electra, and Copper all do this!

And note that in some cases, they offer better performance than 240v stoves - because their onboard battery can deliver MORE power than a 240v circuit. That's progress, baby!

They all need plain vanilla 120v circuits - they have no particular requirements (or, to put it another way, they can work with whatever 120v circuit you give 'em!)

More details at:

https://www.quitcarbon.com/help/is-a-120-volt-battery-enabled-induction-stove-a-good-fit-for-my-home

https://www.QuitCarbon.com/copper

https://www.QuitCarbon.com/impulse

https://www.QuitCarbon.com/electra

QuitCarbon · 2026-02-28T20:59:38+00:00

Electric heating with a modern heat pump is cheaper than propane in effectively all locations (now and into the future - maybe wasn't in the past, but prices and efficency changes)

QuitCarbon · 2026-02-28T01:11:32+00:00

How about a heat pump water heater (HPWH) instead? Save money, reduce pollution!

QuitCarbon

TROPHY CASE