As homeowners, we’re always looking at ways to save and what can be done to bring overall expenses down. As we all know, Hawaii is not the most affordable place to live, and every penny counts. And when it comes to reducing your energy bill and saving more money month-to-month, your water heater can not be overlooked. An integral part of your household’s electricity bill—water heating can contribute up to 20% of your home’s total electricity cost—, recent technology and modernizations have made it possible to heat your water with different, more economical methods. Alongside tankless water heaters, hybrid water heaters have entered the discussion on alternative options to a classic tanked system. But what is a hybrid water heater? Will it save you money in the long run? Is it worth the initial cost of investment? Let’s find out.

What is a Hybrid Water Heater?

The easiest way to understand what a hybrid water heater does is by comparing it to your refrigerator, but instead of making its interior compartment cold, it makes it hot. An evaporator coil within the unit utilizes refrigerant gas—much like a refrigerator, hence the comparison—to pull in heat from the air which then, through a heat exchanger, raises the temperature of the water inside. The now heated water is then pushed into your home’s showers, faucets and other large appliance lines. Due to its unique system, the hybrid water heater doesn’t have to stay running all day like a traditional water heater.

The Pros

To answer the most important question first, yes, a hybrid water heater will save you money in the long run. In fact, over time it can save you thousands of dollars in your electricity bill alone. (On average, after 12 years of use, a hybrid water heater will save households up to $3,600.) And Hawaii is the perfect place to own one. Because of the islands’ tropical climate, you likely won’t ever run into the issue of the surrounding air being too cold for the heater to find the heat necessary to get your water hot. The purchase of a hybrid water heater can also qualify homeowners for an instant rebate which will help offset the initial cost of investment. Also, while most traditional water heating units come with a six-year warranty, most hybrid heaters are equipped with a longer, 10-year warranty.

The Cons

Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and low electricity bills with hybrid water heaters. There are a few things to keep in mind before purchasing a unit for yourself. First and foremost, you’ll need enough space in your home or garage to house a hybrid water heater—which must be placed indoors. For proper air circulation, 600 to 800 cubic square feet around the unit are required, and it will also need at least a few feet of overhead clearance to allow for maintenance and access to the heater’s filter. And while you will save yourself money over the years with a hybrid water heater, they are more expensive to purchase and install initially. Other cons include not being able to hook a hybrid water heater up to a timer and the need for a condensation line to be run from the heater to a drain.

Is a Hybrid Water Heater Worth It?

Depending on the size of your home and how much you’re willing to invest, a hybrid water heater can be worth it for homeowners in the long run. If you’ve got the space and your current water heater is old—and past warranty—then switching to a hybrid system can save you big bucks over its lifetime of use. However, if your current heater is still early in its lifecycle and you’d need to make additional renovations to fit a hybrid unit into your home, it may be best to stick with a traditional heater for the time being. If you’re planning to purchase a unit for yourself, 535 Plumbing can help make the process of installation easy with top-of-the-line customer service and flexible scheduling.

535 Plumbing – Your Hybrid Water Heater Experts

If you live on Oahu and are in need of a plumber, choose 535 Plumbing for the job! Our team of professional Oahu plumbers are highly skilled and our excellent customer support representatives will work with you to schedule your appointments at a time you most convenient. Learn more and schedule an appointment by calling (808) 300-0535, or Visit Our Contact Us Page. Mahalo!