How much does it cost to run a heat pump water heater?
A heat pump water heater costs about 64¢ a day, $19.49 a month and $234 a year at typical use (1,300 kWh a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Heat pump water heaters move heat from surrounding air into the tank, using 300-550 W while running and about 1,100-1,500 kWh a year for a typical family.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump only | 450 | 65¢ | $19.71 | $237 |
| Hybrid (some element use) | 900 | $1.30 | $39.43 | $473 |
| Electric / high demand | 4,500 | $6.48 | $197 | $2,366 |
At 1,300 kWh a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost to run a heat pump water heater in every state
The same heat pump water heater costs $160 a year in North Dakota and $566 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $13.35 | $160 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $13.70 | $164 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $13.93 | $167 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $14.07 | $169 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $14.43 | $173 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $14.47 | $174 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $14.55 | $175 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $14.69 | $176 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $14.84 | $178 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $14.99 | $180 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $15.08 | $181 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $15.11 | $181 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $15.18 | $182 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $15.30 | $184 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $15.31 | $184 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $15.38 | $185 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $16.00 | $192 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $16.00 | $192 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $16.35 | $196 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $16.38 | $197 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $16.60 | $199 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $16.67 | $200 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $16.68 | $200 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $16.77 | $201 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $16.79 | $202 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $16.94 | $203 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $17.29 | $207 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $17.57 | $211 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $17.81 | $214 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $17.85 | $214 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $17.96 | $216 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $18.35 | $220 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $19.27 | $231 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $19.77 | $237 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $20.30 | $244 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $20.36 | $244 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $22.42 | $269 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $22.78 | $273 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $22.80 | $274 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $25.76 | $309 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $25.78 | $309 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $26.22 | $315 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $28.89 | $347 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $29.09 | $349 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $30.32 | $364 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $30.76 | $369 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $31.71 | $381 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $31.75 | $381 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $32.97 | $396 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $35.74 | $429 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $47.14 | $566 |
Most efficient heat pump water heater models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models in the most common size (50.2–67.9 gal), out of 609 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $160 a year to run. The least efficient costs $262. Same size, $103 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | Tank | kWh/yr | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friedrich | PROH65 T2 FD400-15 | 59 | 887 | $160 | Amazon |
| Rheem | PROPH65 T2 RH375-15 +2 variants | 59 | 887 | $160 | Amazon |
| Richmond | 10E65-HP515 +2 variants | 59 | 887 | $160 | Amazon |
| Ruud | PROUH65 T2 RU375-15 +1 variant | 59 | 887 | $160 | Amazon |
| Smart Solar | SSG2-ES 65 | 65 | 893 | $161 | Amazon |
| Friedrich | PROH65 T2 FD310BM +3 variants | 59 | 900 | $162 | Amazon |
| Rheem | PRO H65 T2 RH310BM +3 variants | 59 | 900 | $162 | Amazon |
| Ruud | PRO H65 T2 RU310BM +3 variants | 59 | 900 | $162 | Amazon |
| Friedrich | PROH65 T0 FD120-M +1 variant | 59 | 971 | $175 | Amazon |
| Rheem | PROPH65 T0 RH120-M +3 variants | 59 | 971 | $175 | Amazon |
Yearly cost from the official annual energy use and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Use heat-pump-only or efficiency mode; hybrid and high-demand modes call the 4,500 W elements more often.
- Set the temperature to 120-125°F.
- Clean the air filter every 1-3 months.
- Locate it in a space that stays 50-90°F, such as a basement or garage in mild climates.
- Use vacation mode when away for more than 2 days.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Reduces hot water demand so the unit stays in heat pump mode.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump water heater | 450 | 1,300 kWh a year | $19.49 | $234 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 | 4,500 kWh a year | $67.46 | $810 |
| Tankless electric water heater | 24,000 | 3,700 kWh a year | $55.47 | $666 |
| Heat pump | 4,000 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $184 | $920 |
| Dehumidifier | 500 | 24 hours a day for 6 months a year | $26.28 | $158 |
| Mini tank water heater | 1,440 | 450 kWh a year | $6.75 | $81 |
| Point-of-use water heater | 3,500 | 15 minutes a day | $4.79 | $57 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a heat pump water heater per hour?
A heat pump water heater is usually measured per year rather than per hour. It uses about 1,300 kWh a year, which works out to 64¢ a day.
How much does it cost to run a heat pump water heater per month?
At typical use (1,300 kWh a year), a heat pump water heater costs about $19.49 a month and $234 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a heat pump water heater use?
Most heat pump water heaters use 300 to 4,500 watts, depending on the setting (heat pump only 450 W, hybrid (some element use) 900 W, electric / high demand 4,500 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a heat pump water heater use?
About 3.56 kWh a day and 1,300 kWh a year at typical use (1,300 kWh a year).
Does a heat pump water heater use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 1,300 kWh a year is about 12% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a heat pump water heater or an electric water heater?
At typical use, a heat pump water heater costs about $234 a year versus $810 for an electric water heater. So the heat pump water heater is cheaper by about $576 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a heat pump water heater?
- Use heat-pump-only or efficiency mode; hybrid and high-demand modes call the 4,500 W elements more often.
- Set the temperature to 120-125°F.
- Clean the air filter every 1-3 months.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.