Just how much dehumidification the system can offer depends on how much hot water a household uses: the more the system is used, the more heat and humidity it will pull from its surroundings. For this reason, most Massachusetts homeowners prefer to install heat pump water heaters in unfinished basements, saving energy due to more efficient hot water heating and reduced dehumidifier usage—though a heat pump water heater won’t entirely replace your dehumidifier.
Just like traditional electric resistance water heaters, heat pump water heaters come in a variety of sizes to meet a home’s annual domestic hot water needs—typically 50, 65, and 80 gallons. Some heat pump water heaters require a few more inches of vertical clearance than a traditional tanked hot water heater. If you currently have an electric resistance water heater, heat pump water heaters can use the same hookups and electrical connections and you will be able to transition to a heat pump water heater without an electrical upgrade. If you are using a different fuel source to heat your hot water now and have a 100 amp electric panel, talk to your installer to see if an electrical upgrade is required. The heat pump water heater will also likely need access to a floor drain or pump for managing condensate buildup.