The water heater might just be your home’s biggest workhorse, delivering hot water at all hours of the day and night for showers, washing dishes, cleaning clothes, and other modern conveniences that are easy to take for granted. Heat pump technology is improving the category in a big way by lowering operating costs to consumers without any compromise on performance or reliability.
WHY IT EARNED THE SEAL
Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab have been testing A. O. Smith’s Signature 900 series of hybrid heat pump water heaters for the last few years. The latest in the model line, the A. O. Smith Signature 900 Smart Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater with Hot Water Plus, delivers the same exceptional performance we’ve come to expect with several enhancements that make the all-around experience even better for homeowners.
1. Lower Electric Bills. Water heating accounts for about 20% of the average home’s total energy costs. By capturing heat from the air and transferring it to water in the tank, the Signature 900 slashes energy consumption by roughly 75% compared with a standard electric water heater, saving households up to $600 per year. On top of that, rebates from local utilities could reduce the upfront cost by as much as $1,800.
2. No Shortage of Hot Water. With this A. O. Smith water heater, there’s no risk of the water running cold in the middle of your morning shower. For starters, it boasts an impressive “first-hour” rating, the industry standard for measuring how much water a unit can deliver in peak use. The 80-gallon version, for example, has a first-hour rating of 95 gallons. But if that’s not enough (maybe extended family is in town for the holidays), you can kick the unit into Hot Water+ or Guest operating modes, boosting the hot water output by up to 40% for as long as you need.
3. Reliability Over the Long Haul. All of the Signature 900 units our experts have had installed in the homes of testers have been running for years now without issue. Several features contribute to that reliability, including the water heater’s copper elements and ceramic-lined interior, which resist rust and corrosion. One note on installation: because heat pump water heaters are still relatively new, it’s important to work with a qualified installer to make sure the siting and hookup are done properly.
4. Smart Peace of Mind. Though the chance of the Signature 900 breaking down is small given its solid construction, the unit is Wi-Fi-enabled, allowing for remote monitoring and notifications. Our engineers like the Smart Leak Watch feature, which will send an alert to your phone the instant a leak is detected. On top of that, the Leak Shield shut-off valve will automatically cut off the water supply, so there’s no chance of you coming home to a flooded basement or utility room.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
