utility · 550W typical
Running a heat pump water heater costs about $4.08/month.
That's the typical heat pump water heater at 550W, run 3 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
A heat pump water heater draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 1.5 effective hours at 550W across your 3-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same heat pump water heater can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
family household
$4.08
per month
heat pump mode dominates; aux kicks in rarely
couple
$2.04
per month
lighter daily draw
Where you live
$7.40 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $10.20 | $124.06 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $7.77 | $94.55 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $7.62 | $92.75 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $7.10 | $86.42 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $6.91 | $84.01 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $6.09 | $74.08 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $6.01 | $73.17 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $5.52 | $67.15 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $5.47 | $66.55 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $5.32 | $64.74 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $4.78 | $58.12 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $4.73 | $57.51 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $4.55 | $55.41 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $4.48 | $54.50 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $4.41 | $53.60 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $4.31 | $52.40 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $4.26 | $51.79 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $4.18 | $50.89 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $4.11 | $49.99 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $4.03 | $49.08 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $3.91 | $47.58 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $3.89 | $47.28 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $3.86 | $46.98 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $3.81 | $46.37 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $3.76 | $45.77 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $3.76 | $45.77 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $3.74 | $45.47 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $3.66 | $44.57 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $3.66 | $44.57 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $3.64 | $44.27 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $3.64 | $44.27 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $3.61 | $43.96 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $3.51 | $42.76 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $3.49 | $42.46 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $3.44 | $41.86 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $3.37 | $40.95 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $3.32 | $40.35 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $3.29 | $40.05 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $3.27 | $39.75 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $3.24 | $39.45 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $3.24 | $39.45 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $3.14 | $38.24 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $3.07 | $37.34 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $3.02 | $36.74 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $2.99 | $36.44 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $2.99 | $36.44 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $2.95 | $35.83 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $2.87 | $34.93 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $2.85 | $34.63 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $2.82 | $34.33 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $2.80 | $34.03 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $298.11/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
1200W
$8.91 per month
$108.41 per year
Typical
550W
$4.08 per month
$49.69 per year
High draw
4500W
$33.41 per month
$406.52 per year
When it hits hardest
year-round peak
Slight winter increase; dramatically cheaper than resistance tank.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Run in heat-pump-only mode when possible — 75% less than resistance mode
Can save 2,000-2,500 kWh/year vs resistance tank
- 2
Install in warm/heated space (basement) for maximum COP
Cold installs force aux resistance to kick in
- 3
Set temperature to 120°F
Saves 4-20% annually
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Rheem | ProTerra 50 gal Hybrid | 550W |
| A.O. Smith | Voltex Hybrid 50 gal | 600W |
| GE Appliances | GeoSpring GEH50DFEJSR | 550W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energystar.gov · www.energy.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13