Do I need to go up a size when considering a HPWH?

[cleanstreamplumbing]

I hear you. But cross that with the unreliability (and poor sampling) of internet reviews. And I am not conspiratorial in general, but I think that competing tech often puts out fake bad reviews in general. Millions of these units have been sold.

I have never known anyone with a problem with the HPWH, but many plumbers or techs I talk to says they 'never work', usually while standing next to one. Other plumbers happily install them every day.

In the end a warranty is a warranty, and mine came with a 10 year one I think? I computed a simple payback as 4-5 years in my case, even back when the unit was super expensive. So another way to go is to ask if 'simple payback is much less than warranty period'?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts—this is a great perspective. You're right that internet reviews can sometimes paint an unreliable picture, especially when fake or biased feedback is involved. It's refreshing to hear from someone who’s done the math and had first-hand experience with HPWHs (Heat Pump Water Heaters).


Your point about the split in opinions among plumbers is spot on. Some see the long-term benefits and install them regularly, while others remain skeptical, often without valid performance complaints. At Clean Stream Plumbing Ottawa, we’ve seen that with proper installation and regular maintenance, these systems can work very efficiently and deliver great savings over time.


And yes, a 10-year warranty definitely offers peace of mind. Thinking in terms of "simple payback vs warranty period" is a smart approach—we often encourage homeowners to consider both short- and long-term value, not just upfront costs.


Thanks again for contributing to the conversation!