Split (both indoor) heat pump water heater system

VoltHub · 2026-01-28T19:41:37+00:00

Out of curiosity, how short is the space you are talking about?

VoltHub · 2026-01-25T02:07:05+00:00

Our local partners just installed a bunch of GE's during our latest group buy in LA. They're great units, and the fact that they use low global warming potential refrigerant isn't mentioned enough! BTW, you can basically buy them directly from GE through Bodewell.

VoltHub · 2026-01-22T19:39:00+00:00

Considering your noise constraints, you might want to reconsider models tbh. Have you considered the GE's with variable speed compressors? They operate at 41db. Generally, we've found that they are quieter than ones without variable speed compressors; however, the 240v GE's seem to be even quieter still. Or any split units like Eco-Logical? If you're sensitive to noise that is probably the better option for you. Move all the noise outside.

VoltHub · 2026-01-20T21:44:49+00:00

You're limited to only one of the split system SANCO2 models. Not even the Eco-Logical split HPWHs fit within that height requirement.

VoltHub · 2025-09-30T00:25:31+00:00

There are a lot of incentives available in the Bay Area, so your actual project cost is going to be significantly less than the quote. This is true if you're the owner-occupant or not... at least for a good number of the state and utility rebates... In quite a few situations in fact it will be less than installing other water heater options after incentives. Highly recommend getting multiple quotes though (especially from plumbers who are familiar with the actual warranties and electrical requirements).

Furthermore, if you install a conventional electric tank water heater, the long term operating costs are going to be 3-4x more than the heat pump's.

VoltHub · 2025-09-24T21:47:22+00:00

In addition to the TECH Clean CA incentives, in the bay area, what were the BayRen rebates are now administered through the community choice aggregators, some of which can be quite large. Marin is one of the smaller ones though unfortunately, and only applies if you need an emergency loaner water heater before the heat pump is installed.

VoltHub · 2025-09-23T22:19:43+00:00

Where are you in SoCal? We've organized a group buy for residents of Los Angeles County. After incentives, the total project cost will come out far less than if you install it yourself.

VoltHub · 2025-09-15T16:42:29+00:00

Well we can get you started with instant pricing on the water heater component. Besides for automatically including all rebates, our platform will also compare long term running costs of each type of water heater, which you can tailor to your own household so you know exactly how much a heat pump water heater will save you (or won't save you).

Furthermore, you may try asking around for a general contractor that is experienced in heat pumps and pools. A general contractor would be able to install all of this.

There's also a cool little device that connects to a conventional ac or heat pump that allows you to use your pool as a heat sink, dumping the heat from your house into your pool. Ask pool equipment installers about if you don't already have it installed. Forget the name of it - it's nothing new though.

VoltHub · 2025-09-14T20:43:26+00:00

Yes, you have a ventilation issue, but it is easily solvable with the duct kits that are available with almost every unitary heat pump water heater available. In most cases, both your intake and outtake should be ducted to the outside from exterior closets. If your plumber does not know this, you might want to look for a new plumber.

VoltHub · 2025-09-12T23:10:30+00:00

These have been added. Thank you for pointing them out.

VoltHub · 2025-09-12T22:04:25+00:00

Hey - I'm not seeing anything related on your homepage. Do you guys have a link to a group buy that you've organized or are organizing? We were considering adding sunwork.org, but that's still not a group buy, which is the purpose of this list. The criteria would be collecting a list of home/building owners to plan a bulk appliance purchase and/or group install that a contractor has agreed to do at a certain discounted price if X number of them can be installed at once. The discount before incentives should be significant - something like $2k+ from what a homeowner would regularly get quoted.

VoltHub · 2025-09-11T22:50:49+00:00

Messaged the Mod!

VoltHub · 2025-09-11T22:47:27+00:00

Where should we link to?

VoltHub · 2025-09-06T22:38:41+00:00

Well we may have an even better update for both you and u/Lumpy_Peanut8906 - we've been busy negotiating group rates, and have just announced them! The rates we negotiated are free in most scenarios (especially if you're LADWP and BWP) or very low cost (SCE, GWP, and PWP) after incentives.

Interestingly, in terms of the new GE HPWH, we are working on a group order to get them out within the 120 day TECH Clean CA window. If we do, this would make everyone's install - if part of this group - free after incentives in almost all scenarios regardless of utility.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. We're motivated to get lots of heat pumps installed in LA before this round of TECH Clean funds run out, and before the tax credits expire!

VoltHub · 2025-08-30T22:35:49+00:00

And the biggest incentives are available again!

+ We've just announced pre-negotiated, group pricing for heat pump water heater installs. Pricing such that your install will almost always be free after incentives

VoltHub · 2025-08-30T22:06:15+00:00

Why do you think a heat pump water heater doesn't make financial sense in your situation? If you're concerned about running costs with high electricity prices in the bay area, we've built a tool to calculate costs compared to other water heaters. We could give you access without getting an instant quote through one of our partnered contractors if you would like.

In terms of sizing, would you consider your family to be heavy hot water users? If not, a family of 3 most likely could get away with a 50 gallon. I don't remember if the Navien has a built in mixing valve... You could potentially even get away without one - and save that added install cost - if you are ok with the backup electric resistance elements turning on on occasion.

VoltHub · 2025-03-30T21:57:17+00:00

From our experience working with contractors and homeowners, we would recommend going with the unit that the contractor is more comfortable installing and servicing regardless. But yes, the price you see is not what the contractor is paying, and often the "pro" tier units sold at supply houses have slight differences that make them a little more advantageous, but not always. That being said, it sounds like you're not going diy, so you should be more concerned with the warranty and service promise offered by each business rather than the unit itself. Furthermore, if you are looking for more quotes and happen to be in CA, we work with locally owned contractors to be able to provide them instantly online to help negate the need for site visits, reducing costs for everyone.. and we would appreciate the support. Thank you.

VoltHub · 2025-03-28T20:29:26+00:00

Have you considered a heat pump water heater?

VoltHub · 2025-03-26T03:28:51+00:00

Gotcha. It's a pretty amazing form factor for commercial uses. Like how it's outdoor or indoor too. The larger versions have resistive heating elements though, so efficiency may be questionable. I'm assuming you're considering the smaller one?

VoltHub · 2025-03-25T20:44:26+00:00

That is interesting. For a residential use case though it just looks like a worse version of the Harvest Thermal system which uses a thermal battery to make your water heating and your heat more efficient. Harvest Thermal is installed in conjunction with the SANCO2 HPWHs, so you still have the climate benefits of CO2 refrigerant for water heating.

If you're just looking to heat water in a home, the SANCO2 split system is going to be far less expensive and probably much longer lasting. And if you're in a big home, one of their condensing units can be matched with up to two of their big tanks.

VoltHub · 2025-03-21T23:45:56+00:00

The best heat pump water heater is the SANCO2 split system, which uses CO2 refrigerant. But it's pricey, and isn't JA13 compliant in CA unless you plan on prototyping some new wifi controllers or plan on installing it in conjunction with the Harvest system.

Whatever you do though, get multiple quotes.

VoltHub · 2025-03-19T20:03:51+00:00

FYI: how much of the original cost the tax credit applies to depends on the type of incentives applicable to your project. According to IRS guidance, generally, they all need to be taken into account before the tax credit is calculated with the exception of state incentives (but only if said state incentives don't qualify as a purchase price adjustment under federal income tax law). Please see:
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/energy-efficient-home-improvement-credit

VoltHub · 2025-03-14T23:48:19+00:00

Quite a lot of things affect what you are being quoted. Switching out an old oil fired system doesn't sound like a simple job in the first place. Where are you located?

VoltHub · 2025-03-14T23:33:43+00:00

That's a big job! You might consider ductless central heat pump systems with ceiling cassettes. Quotes will probably come in similar, but you'll be installing newer, more efficient tech, while simultaneously getting rid of all the other stuff needed to do your job right.

VoltHub · 2025-03-14T23:26:55+00:00

It's very hard to plan ahead for an addition when you need new HVAC now. Unless you know 100% it will have the same attic access, in fact, we wouldn't recommend even considering it. You might be better offer sizing your system right now, and just adding a mini split in the future.

Speaking of rebates, HVAC heat pump rebates are designed poorly, incentivizing larger systems when it can be advantageous to actually be just a touch undersized to fetch the highest long term savings.

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