Water heating · May 2026 rates

Heat pump vs electric resistance water-heating cost

Compare the electricity required to deliver the same daily hot-water thermal load under two editable efficiency assumptions.

Same hot-water load

Heat pump vs electric resistance water heating

Resistance electricity9.5 kWh/day$639.76 / year
Heat-pump electricity2.9 kWh/day$191.93 / year
Modeled annual difference$447.83lower with the heat-pump assumption

The comparison holds hot-water volume and temperature rise constant. The effective-factor inputs are modeling assumptions, not universal product ratings. Installation cost, maintenance, recovery rate, tank size, ambient heat taken from the room, and backup resistance operation are outside this electricity-only comparison.

What this comparison leaves out

This page compares operating electricity only. It does not compare purchase price, installation, maintenance, available space, recovery rate, noise, dehumidification effects, backup resistance operation, or incentives. Use product-specific EnergyGuide and manufacturer data for a purchase decision.