Heat pump water heater installation for Northern California homes
Every heat pump water heater needs the right room, the right circuit and a drain, so we check all three before we quote.
About the service. Pick the room first, then the tank that fits it.
Most heat pump water heater problems start with the room, not the unit. The tank pulls heat out of the surrounding air, so it needs open air to work with. A closet with no airflow starves it, and the unit falls back to electric element heat. Because of that, we look at the room, the drain and the circuit before we pick a model. ENERGY STAR sets a floor of 3.30 UEF for an integrated unit, and UEF is the standard efficiency rating for water heaters. Then we match the tank size to your household. Finally, we install it and test the controls.
- Room, drain and circuit checked first
- Integrated and split system units
- Tank sized to your household
What we do. Four jobs we do to heat your water with less electricity.
Each job starts with a visit to the room, the panel and the old tank. We tell you which option fits after we see the house. See also our energy efficiency upgrades.
Heat pump water heater installation
A tank that moves heat from room air into the water instead of making heat directly.
Gas water heater replacement
Swap a gas tank for a heat pump unit, with the new circuit and the condensate drain.
Electric tank upgrade
Replace a standard electric tank with a heat pump model. We check if your circuit can serve it.
Circuit and panel work
A new dedicated circuit, or a panel upgrade when the total load needs it.
Why us. Why homeowners pick our heat pump water heater crew.
Four things we do on every tank.
One crew from room check to startup
The crew that checks your room installs the tank, so details do not get lost between a sales visit and the job. At startup we test the hot water temperature and set the operating mode.
Space and airflow checked first
The unit cools and dries the air around it. A tight closet can run out of warm air and fall back to element heat, so we measure the room before we order.
Circuit and panel checked up front
Many units need a dedicated 240 volt circuit, and some ENERGY STAR models use a 120 volt, 15 amp circuit. We check your breaker space before we order. Our electrical panel service covers any upgrade.
Financing help with paperwork
Financing options such as PACE may be available for qualifying homeowners. PACE is repaid through your property tax assessment. Utility and state incentives may also apply to heat pump water heaters. We explain what may apply and help with the paperwork.
Reviews.
Five reviews from our clients, unedited: solar, financing, roofing and electrical work.
Exceptional service! The team at Majestic went above and beyond to install my solar panels. Couldn’t be happier with the results.
Majestic truly exceeded my expectations. Their solar financing options made it easy for me to go green without breaking the bank.
Highly recommend Majestic for their professionalism and expertise. They did an outstanding job with my roofing installation.
Impressed by their attention to detail and efficiency. The electrical panel service they provided was top-notch. Will definitely use them again!
I had my home rewired by Majestic and couldn’t be more pleased with the results. The team was courteous, knowledgeable, and efficient.
Exceptional service! The team at Majestic went above and beyond to install my solar panels. Couldn’t be happier with the results.
Majestic truly exceeded my expectations. Their solar financing options made it easy for me to go green without breaking the bank.
Highly recommend Majestic for their professionalism and expertise. They did an outstanding job with my roofing installation.
Impressed by their attention to detail and efficiency. The electrical panel service they provided was top-notch. Will definitely use them again!
I had my home rewired by Majestic and couldn’t be more pleased with the results. The team was courteous, knowledgeable, and efficient.
Free estimate. Ready to talk about a heat pump water heater?
Tell us about your current tank and where it sits. We come out, look at the room, the drain and the panel, and read your hot water use. Then we tell you what fits and what does not.
The science. How a heat pump water heater moves heat into your tank.
Unlike a plain electric tank, a heat pump water heater does not make heat from a coil alone. A refrigerant loop pulls heat from the room air and moves it into the water, so the same electricity delivers more heat. ENERGY STAR sets the bar at a UEF of 3.30 for integrated units, with a first hour rating of at least 45 gallons per hour. The compressor shuts off when the room gets too cold, and then the unit runs on its electric element alone. Because the tank cools the room as it works, a garage often suits it better than a small closet. ENERGY STAR lists the full water heater criteria. If you plan solar, our solar panel installation page covers the load.
The plan. How heat pump water heater installation runs, from room check to startup.
The work runs in five steps, and each step ends with a check. First, we look at the room, the drain path, the panel and your hot water use. Next, we send a written scope with the model, the tank size and the circuit work. After you approve it, the crew drains and removes the old tank, sets the new unit and runs the condensate drain. Then we connect the circuit, fill the tank and set the mode. Last, we test the hot water and show you the controls. Permits and inspections follow the local code in force. Want backup power for the tank? See our battery installation page. Book a free water heater estimate to start.
Questions. Answers before you book a heat pump water heater.
What is a heat pump water heater?
A heat pump water heater is a tank that moves heat instead of making it. Inside, a small refrigerant loop pulls warmth from the air around the tank and passes it into the water. Because it moves heat that already exists, it uses far less electricity than a standard electric tank. Most models also hold an electric element as a backup. Where the room is cold, the unit leans on that element more often. Think of it like a refrigerator running in reverse: the heat it draws from the room goes to your water instead. Your results depend on the room, the tank size and how much hot water you use, so we assess those first.
Where can a heat pump water heater go in my home?
These tanks need open air around them. A closet with no airflow starves the unit, so it falls back to element heat and loses its savings. Garages, utility rooms and basements often suit the unit well. Height matters too, since many models stand taller than the tank they replace. We measure the room, the door and the clearance above the unit during your visit. Air moves in and cool, dry air comes out, so the spot needs room for that exchange to happen. If the space is too tight, we explain whether ducting or a split system could solve it.
Can I replace a gas water heater with a heat pump model?
Often you can, though it takes more than swapping the tank. A gas tank and a heat pump unit use different connections, so each step needs care. The new unit needs power, so the crew runs a circuit to the spot. It also needs a drain, because the unit removes moisture from the air as it works. We remove the gas tank, cap the gas line to code and set the new unit in place. Permits cover the change. Before we quote, we check your panel for breaker space so the price you get already includes any circuit work. Ask us about each step, so nothing surprises you on the job day.
What electrical circuit does a heat pump water heater need?
Many models need a dedicated 240 volt circuit. Some ENERGY STAR models run on a 120 volt, 15 amp circuit instead. The two voltages use different breakers and wiring, so the panel check matters. Which one you need depends on the model you pick. During the visit, we look at your panel, the open breaker spaces and the wire run to the tank. If the panel is full, a panel upgrade may come first. Our electrical panel service handles that work, so one crew covers the whole job. A clear answer on the circuit keeps the quote accurate.
Are there rebates for a heat pump water heater?
Incentives may apply, but they vary by utility, state program and the model you choose. Some programs pay on a specific efficiency rating. Others depend on your household income or on where you live. Approval is never automatic, and programs change often. Rebate amounts also differ from one program to the next, so read the terms before you count on one. We tell you which ones may fit your home and help with the paperwork. Compare offers before you sign anything. Ask us which models carry the ENERGY STAR label, since many programs start there.
Can I finance a heat pump water heater?
Financing options such as PACE may be available for qualifying homeowners and projects. PACE is financing repaid through your property tax assessment, so you repay it over time. It is not a grant. Eligibility depends on your property, your equity and the provider. Rates and terms come from the provider, not from us. Ask for the full payment schedule in writing before you agree to anything. A written schedule lets you compare it with other options. Read more on our solar financing page, and we explain how financing fits a water heater project during your free estimate.
How long does installation take?
Most installs fit into one working day when the circuit and drain are simple. A panel upgrade, a long wire run or a new drain line adds time. Permits and inspections add steps too. Because every house differs, we give you the working schedule in writing after the visit, not before it. The crew drains the old tank, sets the new one, connects the circuit and tests the hot water. Last, we show you the controls and the operating modes. Each of these steps has its own check, so the work moves in order. Ask for a clear list of steps before the day starts.
How loud is a heat pump water heater?
Expect a low hum, about like a refrigerator or a dehumidifier. The compressor and fan run only when the unit heats. Placement affects what you hear. A unit in a garage or utility room is easy to ignore. One next to a bedroom wall is not. We suggest a spot away from quiet rooms. Sound carries through walls more than most people expect, so the room matters as much as the model. Many models also offer a mode that favors quiet over speed, so ask which one fits your household. Ask us for the decibel rating of the model you are considering.
Does a heat pump water heater work with solar?
Yes, and the pair works well together. The unit runs on electricity, so panels can supply much of its power. A timer or a smart mode can shift heating to the sunny hours. The tank stores hot water, so it can heat during the day and hold that heat for later use. Your own result depends on your system size and your daily hot water habits. We look at both during the visit. Planning the two systems together helps you get the most from each one. Our solar panel installation page shows how we size a system, and the same crew can handle both jobs.