50 Gallon Voltex Residential Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater

Bought this to replace an oil fired water heater, due to nearing $1000 for a fill up at $4/gallon on oil, ouch.Got right scared and replace with this model. Did not take long and running out of hot water after two back to back showers, long showers in the 15-20 minute range, wife and teenager. Happened with oil fired but very few times. At that point lowered pressure to less then 50 psi from 60 psi and elevated tank temperature to 130F from 120F, flow at about 2.0 gallons per minute from a well so ground water at 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit . Helped but not enough. Raised electrical bill 20-30 dollars per month, savings are there even at $2 per gallon for oil. Had to put a point of use electric water heater in line to make up the extra hot water in high demand so savings are less.Called factory and asked for 5500 watt heater element and they so that was a no go. Still evaluating point of use heater.

I installed this product 2 weeks ago and it has been great. The recovery time on this unit is fast so we can consume a lot of HW at once and have not been able to run out. Doing landuray, filling a extra deep bath and taking a shower afterwards and no issues with running low on HW. So far great unit and great price. It does really cool down the basement which is great in the summer, maybe in the winter we will switch to electric only from hybrid.

Here in NH the primary heating fuel is oil, and my oil boiler also has a direct coil hot water heater. This is great during the winter, because the boiler is already hot, but I have been burning over 150 gallons during the summer. I installed the Voltex water heater last weekend and am finally able to shut down the boiler for the summer. For the most part, installation was easy. I also ordered all my pex fittings here, and plumbing was simple. My only complaint is the size of the electrical box on the water heater. It takes some persuasion to get the wires tucked into it due to the small size. So far I love the unit. It definitely makes my basement cooler, which will be nice once it warms up a little more. It seems to be providing plenty of hot water so far in efficiency mode, but I haven't used a ton. Later this week it should get a work out once everyone is home. Still early for savings estimate, but with federal and local incentives, it should pay for itself in about 3 years.

It is easy to install. Runs very quietly. Keeps the garage cool. Havent had it long enough to evaluate the savings. Had a dent in the front of it from the factory. It wasn't done in shipping. Everyone that sees it, being new technology a lot of friends want to look at it, thought it shouldn't have been sold as an undamaged item.

I had read that the SHPT-50 is both quieter and more efficient than its closest competitor, the GE GeoSpring 50. I wanted to try one and had the opportunity last week. So far so good!