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Plumbing · Water Heating

Heat Pump Water Heaters for Puget Sound Homes

The single biggest efficiency upgrade most homes can make. A heat pump water heater uses up to 70% less energy than a standard electric tank — and with Washington rebates, the switch is more affordable than ever. See your savings in seconds, then book licensed install with Eco.

  • Up to 70% less energy
  • Stack WA rebates
  • ENERGY STAR® models
  • Licensed install

Licensed plumbers & electricians · Upfront pricing · We handle the rebate paperwork

Eco plumbers installing a water heater on a Seattle-area job

Savings Estimator

What could a heat pump water heater save you?

Tell us about your home and we’ll estimate your yearly savings, 10-year savings, and the carbon you’d avoid by switching to a high-efficiency heat pump water heater.

What are you replacing?

Standard electric resistance — the most common upgrade

How many people in your home?
Your electricity rate$0.12/kWh
$0.08Puget Sound avg ~$0.12$0.20

Estimated annual savings

$381/yr

Over 10 years
$3,808
CO₂ avoided / yr
1.3 tons
Operating cost
$528 $147/yr
Get my EstimateCall (206) 970-1031

Estimates only, for general comparison. Actual savings depend on your equipment, hot-water use, electricity and fuel rates, and home. Figures use ENERGY STAR® / DOE efficiency factors and typical Puget Sound rates; CO₂ is an approximation. We’ll give you a precise quote — and identify every rebate you qualify for — at your in-home estimate.

How a heat pump water heater works

It doesn’t make heat — it moves it. That’s why it can be three to four times more efficient than a standard electric tank.

How a heat pump water heater works A heat pump water heater draws warm room air into the unit on top of the tank. A refrigerant loop — evaporator, compressor, and condenser — moves that heat into the water in the tank, and the unit blows cooler, drier air back out. Cold water enters the bottom of the tank and hot water leaves the top. Cool, dry air out Warm room air Heat → water 1 2 3 Hot water out Cold water in
  1. 1

    Evaporator

    Pulls warmth out of the surrounding air — even cool garage or basement air holds plenty.

  2. 2

    Compressor

    Squeezes the refrigerant to concentrate that low-grade heat into a much hotter form.

  3. 3

    Condenser

    Releases the concentrated heat into the water in the tank — then the cycle repeats.

Warm air in Cool, dry air out Refrigerant loop Heat into the water
  1. 1

    It pulls heat from the air

    A built-in heat pump draws warmth from the surrounding air — the same way a refrigerator works, just in reverse. No flame, no heating element doing the heavy lifting.

  2. 2

    It moves heat into the water

    That captured heat is transferred into the tank. Because it moves heat instead of generating it, a HPWH delivers 3–4 units of heat for every unit of electricity it uses.

  3. 3

    Hybrid mode covers the peaks

    During heavy demand it can switch on a backup element so you never run out of hot water — then drops back to ultra-efficient heat-pump mode automatically.

Heat pump vs. the alternatives

How a hybrid heat pump water heater stacks up against the systems most Puget Sound homes have today.

System Efficiency Est. annual cost* Lifespan Upfront Best for
Heat pump (hybrid) Best value UEF ~3.3–4.0 (300–400%) ~$150 13–15 yrs $$–$$$ before rebates Lowest bills, electrification, garages & basements
Electric tank UEF ~0.90–0.95 ~$525 10–12 yrs $ Lowest upfront cost only
Gas tank UEF ~0.60–0.70 ~$355 10–12 yrs $$ Homes with existing gas & fast recovery
Tankless (gas) UEF ~0.80–0.95 ~$300 18–20 yrs $$$ Endless hot water & space savings

*Estimated annual operating cost for a typical 3–4 person Puget Sound household at ~$0.12/kWh and ~$1.60/therm. Your numbers will vary — use the estimator above.

Washington Rebates & Incentives

Stack your savings before you buy

Heat pump water heaters are one of the most heavily incentivized upgrades in Washington. Here’s what may apply — we confirm your eligibility and handle the paperwork.

WA HEAR

Heat pump water heater

Up to $1,750

A heat pump water heater uses up to 70% less energy than a standard electric tank. The HEAR rebate comes off your invoice at the point of sale.

WA Dept. of Commerce — HEAR ↗
Puget Sound Energy

Heat pump water heater (PSE)

Rebate available

PSE customers can also claim a utility rebate on a qualifying ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater — and may be able to stack it with state programs.

Puget Sound Energy rebates ↗
WA HEAR

Electrical panel / service upgrade

Up to $4,000

If your new heat pump or appliance needs more electrical capacity, HEAR helps cover an electric panel or service upgrade required for the install.

WA Dept. of Commerce — HEAR ↗

Amounts shown are program maximums and are not guaranteed; eligibility depends on household income, equipment, your utility, and program funding. Washington’s HEAR program has a combined cap of $14,000 per household. The federal 25C tax credit expired Dec 31, 2025. Eco does not provide tax advice — we’ll help you identify and apply the rebates you qualify for at your estimate.

Is a heat pump water heater right for your home?

They’re a great fit for most Puget Sound homes. Here’s what we look at — and what to expect.

A bit of space around the unit

HPWHs work best with roughly 700–1,000 cu ft of air around them (a garage, basement, or utility room is ideal). Tight closets can be solved with a ducting kit — we'll confirm the fit at your estimate.

A free dehumidifier in summer

Because it pulls heat and moisture from the surrounding air, a HPWH lightly cools and dehumidifies the space it sits in — a welcome bonus in a Puget Sound garage or basement.

Standard 240V electrical

Most installs use a standard 240V circuit. If your panel needs a little room, that work can also qualify for Washington electrification rebates — and we handle both trades in one visit.

Quiet operation

Modern HPWHs run around 40–50 dB — about as loud as a quiet dishwasher. In a garage or basement you'll rarely notice it.

Financing

Do it all at once — and let your home pay you back

Build your project below. See how a high-efficiency system lowers your bills, and how bundling HVAC, plumbing, and electrical into one financed plan beats paying — and waiting — three separate times.

1. Choose what to take care of

$12,000–$20,000

Lasts ~18–20+ yrs · est. ~$70/mo lower bills

2. Pick a payment option

Estimated monthly payment

$159–$264/mo

That’s about $5–$9/day — a cup of Starbucks.

Project total (1 trade)
$12,000–$20,000
Est. monthly bill savings
$70/mo
Effective net monthly
$89–$194/mo

High-efficiency pays you back

It adds about $40–$66/mo to the payment but saves an estimated $45/mo more on energy — and lasts years longer with fewer repairs.

Estimates only, with approved credit. Real terms via GreenSky® at your quote.

Why take care of everything together?

  • One payment, not three

    Bundle HVAC, plumbing, and electrical into a single, predictable monthly payment instead of juggling separate bills.

  • One project, one disruption

    We coordinate every trade in one scheduled window — your home is back to normal faster, with one team accountable.

  • Lock in today's price

    Equipment and labor costs rise every year. Doing it now secures today's pricing across all three trades.

  • Systems that pay you back

    High-efficiency equipment lowers your monthly bills — those savings can offset a real chunk of the payment.

  • We handle the rebates & paperwork

    We find every utility rebate and tax credit you qualify for and file it for you — so you keep the savings without the hassle.

  • No more emergency repairs

    Replace on your terms, not during a breakdown — and stop pouring money into aging systems that keep failing.

Why install with Eco?

Two trades, one visit

A heat pump water heater often needs a plumber and an electrician. We're licensed in both, so the install — and any panel work — happens in a single coordinated visit.

We handle the rebate paperwork

Washington's HEAR and IRA programs plus PSE rebates can be confusing. We identify everything you qualify for and apply the point-of-sale discounts for you.

Upfront, honest pricing

You get a clear price before any work begins — including the rebate-adjusted number, so you know exactly what you'll pay.

Sized and placed right

We confirm capacity, clearances, condensate drainage, and electrical before we install — so your HPWH performs the way it should for 15 years.

Learning Center

Compare water-heating options before you decide

Not sure which water heater fits your home and budget? Our guides break down tank vs. tankless vs. heat pump, real cost ranges, and what to verify in an estimate.

Why homeowners use these guides

  • Plain-English answers about what's going on and what your options are.
  • Honest repair-vs-replace comparisons with real cost ranges.
  • Written for Puget Sound homes — our weather, utilities, and older houses.
  • Backed by our licensed techs and updated from real jobs in the field.

Heat pump water heater FAQs

How much does a heat pump water heater cost in the Seattle area?

Installed pricing varies with tank size, your existing plumbing and electrical, and placement, but heat pump water heaters typically run more upfront than a standard electric tank. Washington rebates and PSE incentives can cut thousands off that cost, and the lower energy bills pay back much of the difference over time. We give you an exact, rebate-adjusted price at your free estimate.

How much can a heat pump water heater really save me?

A heat pump water heater uses up to about 70% less energy than a standard electric resistance tank because it moves heat instead of generating it. For a typical Puget Sound household that can mean a few hundred dollars a year — use the savings estimator on this page to see a figure based on your home and electricity rate.

Do heat pump water heaters work in cold Washington garages?

Yes. Heat pump water heaters operate efficiently across the temperatures found in Puget Sound garages and basements, and they automatically switch to a backup heating element in hybrid mode during cold snaps or heavy demand, so you never run out of hot water.

What rebates are available for a heat pump water heater in Washington?

Income-eligible households can get up to $1,750 off at the point of sale through Washington's HEAR program, and PSE electric customers may qualify for an additional utility rebate on a qualifying ENERGY STAR model. Panel or wiring upgrades needed for the install can also qualify. Washington's HEAR program has a combined cap of $14,000 per household. We confirm your eligibility and handle the paperwork.

How much space does a heat pump water heater need?

They work best with roughly 700–1,000 cubic feet of air around them, which a garage, basement, or utility room usually provides. Tighter spaces can be solved with a ducting kit. We confirm clearances and the best location during your estimate.

Are heat pump water heaters loud?

Modern units run around 40–50 decibels — roughly as loud as a quiet dishwasher. In a garage or basement most homeowners rarely notice it.

How long do heat pump water heaters last?

With routine maintenance, a quality heat pump water heater typically lasts 13–15 years — comparable to or longer than a standard tank, while using a fraction of the energy.

Reviews

Puget Sound homeowners who upgraded with Eco

4.9 2,200+ reviews
  • ★★★★★

    “Our furnace died the Sunday before Christmas. The dispatcher rearranged the schedule to send someone Monday, and the crew came out promptly and got the new furnace installed early afternoon. Excellent, knowledgeable, and responsive — Eco is my go-to now. Couldn't be happier!”

    Verified Google review

  • ★★★★★

    “I was very impressed! The technician was very kind and patient and very willing to navigate the hurdles that can come with a home warranty plan. I highly recommend!”

    Verified Google review

  • ★★★★★

    “Very impressed. Sam was very professional and did a very good job. Would highly recommend. He explained all my options and went above and beyond to make sure we were happy with our service.”

    Verified Google review

Ready to cut your water-heating bills?

Get a free estimate with an upfront, rebate-adjusted price — and let our licensed team handle the install and the paperwork.

No fine print

The Eco Triple Guarantee

Every electrical, plumbing, and HVAC job is backed by three promises in writing — so you can say yes with total confidence.

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