True Cost of Heat Pump Water Heater
July 31, 2017 1:49 AM Subscribe
I saw at least 1/2 a dozen ads for this heat pump water heater. They all list it for around $1400.
I was curious, so I checked local home improvement stores. AO Smith only makes two versions; 50 gallon and 80 gallon. I found the same 50 gallon version selling for $699 with a $300 rebate. That means the out of pocket cost is only $400. How can that be? These models just came out in the last few years. Why are the online retailers selling it for 3 1/2 times more than the Lowes stores? What don't shoppers know?
I was curious, so I checked local home improvement stores. AO Smith only makes two versions; 50 gallon and 80 gallon. I found the same 50 gallon version selling for $699 with a $300 rebate. That means the out of pocket cost is only $400. How can that be? These models just came out in the last few years. Why are the online retailers selling it for 3 1/2 times more than the Lowes stores? What don't shoppers know?
Odd. That Lowes link you posted shows it at $1,199 for me (and a $300 rebate from the local utility available after that).
posted by zachlipton at 2:07 AM on July 31, 2017
posted by zachlipton at 2:07 AM on July 31, 2017
It's listed as $999 for me.
Lowe's does price matches. So you wouldn't have to spend that much if you found a better price.
Presumably, there might be someone buying it as an emergency replacement. That person wouldn't be very price sensitive.
posted by ethidda at 3:18 AM on July 31, 2017
Lowe's does price matches. So you wouldn't have to spend that much if you found a better price.
Presumably, there might be someone buying it as an emergency replacement. That person wouldn't be very price sensitive.
posted by ethidda at 3:18 AM on July 31, 2017
Shows $999 plus $300 rebates when priced in Bellingham, WA.
posted by Thella at 3:19 AM on July 31, 2017
posted by Thella at 3:19 AM on July 31, 2017
I'm showing $1,999 here in Mississippi. I knew this sort of thing goes on, but I have to admit I'm surprised at the large degree of disparity. (I don't even get the $300 rebate y'all are seeing!)
posted by thebrokedown at 4:49 AM on July 31, 2017
posted by thebrokedown at 4:49 AM on July 31, 2017
Huh. Mine says $699, with "up to" $600 in rebates. Where were the half dozen ads you saw for it?
posted by klausman at 5:52 AM on July 31, 2017
posted by klausman at 5:52 AM on July 31, 2017
Response by poster: Klausman, they were online sites for HVAC and plumbing houses and at Amazon. Here are some of the prices:
https://www.amazon.com/Smith-SHPT-50-Voltex-Hybrid-Electric/dp/B00Y0OE1UW
https://www.homeperfect.com/ao-smith-50-gallon-voltex-residential-hybrid-electric-heat-pump-water-heater.html
https://www.ecomfort.com/water-heaters/ao-smith-50-gallon-electric-water-heaters.html
https://www.ventingdirect.com/ao-smith/c17622
But again, considering regional differences, why would sale prices and rebates vary so widely?
posted by CollectiveMind at 6:50 AM on July 31, 2017
https://www.amazon.com/Smith-SHPT-50-Voltex-Hybrid-Electric/dp/B00Y0OE1UW
https://www.homeperfect.com/ao-smith-50-gallon-voltex-residential-hybrid-electric-heat-pump-water-heater.html
https://www.ecomfort.com/water-heaters/ao-smith-50-gallon-electric-water-heaters.html
https://www.ventingdirect.com/ao-smith/c17622
But again, considering regional differences, why would sale prices and rebates vary so widely?
posted by CollectiveMind at 6:50 AM on July 31, 2017
The rebates vary so much because a lot of them come from state programs or programs run by specific utilities - like, I would qualify for different rebates if I lived even one town over in my state because the gas and electric companies are different.
I don't know why the retail price varies so much but it could depend on a lot of things including local demand and distribution costs.
posted by mskyle at 7:03 AM on July 31, 2017
I don't know why the retail price varies so much but it could depend on a lot of things including local demand and distribution costs.
posted by mskyle at 7:03 AM on July 31, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by CollectiveMind at 1:51 AM on July 31, 2017