How to Install a Heat Pump Water Heater / Water Heater Installation

Learn how to install an energy efficient heat pump water heater and start saving money! This hot water heater is straight forward to install, and best yet, the government will pay you to to buy one!
Links to Products Used:
3/4 inch copper pipe cutter: amzn.to/3IkFuG8
Dielectric Union used: amzn.to/4cambwX
Plumbers Tape: amzn.to/3V4YWhH
Pipe Dope (not for gas pipe): amzn.to/4bZBSHc
Tinning Flux: amzn.to/3V1znOw

[@nicholasjames1158]

Nice video

[@thedustybuilder]

@@nicholasjames1158 Thanks man!

[@deepsleep7822]

@3:45 I noticed you didn’t remove the blue plug from the lower fitting. Obviously, you went back and removed it. Go vid. I’ve always wondered about the details.

[@thedustybuilder]

So, that is a heat trap ‘nipple’ , it stays. It’s supposed to keep the hot water from transferring heat to the cold water intake. It’s an energy efficiency thing I guess.

[@chadridgway9319]

Dusty, thanks for the video. I’m not familiar with this style of water heater. What would one expect to pay for such a unit?

[@thedustybuilder]

This guy costs around $1900, however, there are over $2500 in rebates and incentives to purchase and install one of these! You almost can’t afford not to buy one!

[@Steve-bm2zm]

Are you going to get a heat pump for space heating next?

[@thedustybuilder]

If I built a new home….. possibly. But my home is too old and drafty, I don’t think a heat pump could keep up

[@aaronbaraiya3692]

So a heat pump comes pre installed? Also are all heat pump heaters electric?

[@thedustybuilder]

Yes and yes. I’m not sure the manufacturer, but there are even heat pump water heaters that are 120 volt

[@Methodical2]

I thought I saw 120v units or am I going crazy?

[@thedustybuilder]

@@Methodical2 no, she’s 220. 10 gauge with a 30 amp breaker. Apparently they do make 120volt heat pump water heaters these days.

[@donaldwhite8420]

Where is the condensate line?

[@thedustybuilder]

Ah yes, forgot to mention that. It's in the back of the unit, drains to my sump. It isn't producing much condensate because my basement is pretty dry in the winter. Should ramp up in the spring when the humidity increases.

[@johnwhite2576]

How noisy? Db meter?

[@thedustybuilder]

The ol i phone is telling me 70 decibels

[@LayneStevens-lo1im]

You don’t refer the unit as a “ hot “ water heater because there is no reason to heat hot water. It’s simply a water heater.

[@thedustybuilder]

You are correct….I will listen for this now!

[@johnlane9432]

Only made a few mistakes. I don't recommend using teflon tape with pipe dope. Problem is DIY's think its a sealant when in fact it is a lubricant. NPT (pipe thread) is a tapered thread, requires a tight connection to seal. Use one or the other, not both. It's overkill. Good habit of capping unused gas line, (required in the UMC, (uniform mechanical code.) When soldering, (temperatures under 840 deg.) the flux should not extend to the end. The inside of the coupling needs cleaning, and then apply the flux missing about 1/4" from the end. Flux, (is caustic, that is how it works) is used to clean the pipe and stop air from getting to the soldered joint. The other failure is the heated air in the basement, being used to heat water. The air in the basement has to come from somewhere, so if the venting pulls air to the outdoors, then the basement will require replacement air. Ifl the basement floor, bottom plates and doors, are not sealed, that air comes from the house and outdoors. The most expensive air is the treated air from the house.

[@thedustybuilder]

Hey man, thanks for watching! I use pipe dope and tape because I have seen others plumbers do this. -I did clean the inside of the fitting, sorry if I missed showing that. -The heat pump does not vent to the outside, it is not creating negative pressure. It acts like a portable air conditioner in the basement…… it draws air in, transfers heat to the water, then blows the same cooler air into the basement. Great idea in the summer, but you are right, I’m stealing hard earned heat in the winter 😬

[@tchrapko]

@@thedustybuilder I like to think of it as repurposing some of the excess heat in the basement. In our case, we don't spend a ton of time down there, but in the summer having it be a bit cooler is a plus, and in the winter our boiler makes the finished half of the basement too warm anyway. Sure, I could install a smaller radiator down there, but what a pain!

[@thedustybuilder]

@@tchrapko sounds like the perfect scenario to me! I like how it dehumidifies the basement, makes it much more comfortable

[@gpro3680]

Check with your tax preparer about tax credit. If you don’t have enough income you may not be eligible for full tax credit.

[@thedustybuilder]

Good tip!

[@eddwinnas]

Junk im sticking to old and my indirect

[@thedustybuilder]

Perhaps…. Time will tell. So far I like it and I’m looking forward to seeing how it works as a dehumidifier

[@zodiark2456]

its not junk

[@eddwinnas]

@@thedustybuilder I didnt realize this was a small channel was recommended on my samsung tv home page. Upvoted and subbed

[@thedustybuilder]

@@eddwinnas oh cool, thanks!