Service · Heat pump water heater installation in Seattle

Heat pump water heater installation in Seattle.

For most Seattle homeowners replacing a tank water heater, the heat pump water heater (HPWH) is the right call. Net cost after PSE rebate ($400-$800) and federal 25C credit (up to $2,000) lands at $3,350 to $4,200 for a 65 or 80 gallon Rheem ProTerra. Operating cost is $160 to $240/year vs $380 to $520 for a gas tank, so the 10-year math wins by $1,950 to $4,150.

Call (206) 200-9134 → Get a free quote

// RHEEM PROTERRA HPWH 80 GAL · PSE REBATE ELIGIBLE

HPWH install $3,350 – $4,200 net

PSE rebate $400 – $800

Federal 25C credit Up to $2,000

Install time 1 day

Lifespan 12 – 15 yrs

What drives the price

Tank size, location, electrical, and existing fuel.

01
Tank size

40, 50, 65, or 80 gallon. HPWHs typically 65-80 gal because the heat pump is slower to recover.
02
Location + clearance

HPWHs need ~700 cu ft of air around them. Garage or unfinished basement is ideal.
03
Electrical

HPWHs need a dedicated 240V/30A circuit. Most 200A panels accept it.
04
Existing fuel + plumbing

Removing a gas tank means capping gas + permit. Existing electric tank is the easiest swap.

Heat pump water heater is the right call for most

A 65 or 80 gallon HPWHpays for itself in 4 to 6 years against a gas tank.

A heat pump water heater (HPWH) uses a small heat pump on top of the tank to pull heat from ambient air to warm the water. 3-4x more efficient than electric resistance, ~60% cheaper to operate than a gas tank.

Net cost after PSE rebate and federal 25C credit lands at $3,350 to $4,200 for a 65 or 80 gallon Rheem ProTerra. Operating cost is $160 to $240/year vs $380 to $520 for a gas tank, so the 10-year math wins by $1,950 to $4,150.

The catch: HPWHs need ~700 cu ft of unfinished space around them (garage, basement, mechanical room). Sealed closets don't work. We check during the consult.

Get your heat pump water heater install quote in 24 to 48 hours.

Free on-site evaluation. Master electrician on every consult. No high-pressure sales. We answer Mon-Sun, 7 AM to 8 PM.

Request a quote → Call (206) 200-9134

Cost breakdown

Water heater install cost by type and size.

Heat pump water heater is the cheapest 10-year option for most Seattle homes. Gas tankless wins for high-demand homes with limited HPWH clearance.

✓Free clearance check✓PSE rebate priced in✓Federal 25C documented

Get a real quote → Call (206) 200-9134

Type · Size

Equipment + install

HPWH · 50 gal Rheem ProTerra Smaller household

$4,500–$5,200

HPWH · 65 gal Rheem ProTerra Most common

$4,800–$5,500

HPWH · 80 gal Rheem ProTerra Larger household

$5,200–$5,900

Gas tankless · Rinnai or Navien Endless hot water, no clearance issue

$3,800–$5,200

Standard gas tank · 50 gal Cheapest up front, highest 10-yr cost

$1,800–$2,400

For most homes, HPWH wins the 10-year math by $2,000+ even after the higher up-front cost. See the full HPWH math breakdown.

From first call to final walkthrough

How a heat pump water heater install with us goes.

Our process is built around making decisions easy, not pressuring you to make them today. Here's what every Black Lotus install looks like.

See the full process →

01

Day 0Schedule.

You call. We answer. A technician is introduced by name and a two-hour window is confirmed.
02

Day 1Consult.

On-site evaluation, Manual J load calc where applicable, panel + ductwork check, install photos. Written estimate in 24 to 48 hours.
03

Day 2-4Approve.

You pick your option. We pull permits, register warranties, lock in your install date and PSE rebate paperwork.
04

Day 5-7Install.

Full walkthrough before we touch a wire. Combustion analysis if any gas equipment remains, startup, full system test.
05

AfterSatisfied.

Walkthrough at the end. Anything you flag, we fix. Final payment only after sign-off. Warranty starts now.

Equipment lines we install

The HPWHs we install.

Rheem ProTerra

Premium

Efficiency 4.0 UEF

Our default HPWH. Built-in Wi-Fi for tank monitoring. Hybrid mode runs the resistance heating element only when heat pump can't keep up. 65 and 80 gallon configurations.

UEF 4.0

Sizes 65, 80 gal

Warranty 10 yrs tank

AO Smith Voltex

Workhorse

Efficiency 3.45 UEF

Heavy-duty cabinet, slightly louder than Rheem. Strong fit for rental properties or unfinished basements where sound isn't a concern.

UEF 3.45

Sizes 50, 66, 80 gal

Warranty 10 yrs tank

Bradford White AeroTherm

Specialty

Efficiency 3.75 UEF

Built specifically for retrofit. Smaller footprint than Rheem/AO Smith. Best fit when basement clearance is tight.

UEF 3.75

Sizes 50, 65, 80 gal

Warranty 6 yrs tank

Why homeowners pick us

Three operational choices that change how the install lands.

Real Manual J load calculations.

We don't quote from square footage. Every system is sized from a measured load calculation accounting for insulation, windows, orientation, and air sealing. Oversized equipment is the most common failure mode we see on competitor installs.

In-house electrical.

HVAC and electrical under one roof. No subcontractor coordination, no second permit, no surprise add-ons after the gas guy leaves. If your panel needs work, we do it with the same crew on the same week.

Final payment after walkthrough.

You sign off after we walk the install with you. Anything you flag, we fix. Your money clears only after you say it's right. That clause is in writing on every install.

Black Lotus might not currently have the marketing chops of the bigger outfits, it's worth giving them a meeting. We're glad we did. They charged us 1/2 of other bids I had gotten.

Anna Chen · Local Guide · 132 reviews · Verified Google review

Common scenarios

A few common water heater scenarios.

Gas tank end-of-life.

Existing gas tank is 10+ years old. Swap to HPWH catches the PSE rebate + federal 25C credit, drops operating cost ~60%.

Whole-home electrification.

Pair with heat pump install. One panel upgrade covers both. We bundle the permit.

See heat pump pairing →

Sealed closet location.

Existing tank is in a small closet. HPWH won't fit (needs ~700 cu ft). We'll quote a high-efficiency gas tank or tankless alternative.

Common questions before you call

Quick answers before you call.

01 /

How long does water heater installation take?

Most water heater swaps complete in 1 day. HPWH installs that include a new electrical circuit take 1 long day or 2 short days.

02 /

How much clearance does an HPWH need?

About 700 cubic feet of air around the unit. Garage, unfinished basement, or large mechanical room all qualify. Sealed closets do not.

03 /

Is the HPWH loud?

About 49 to 55 dB (similar to a quiet conversation). Quieter than most dehumidifiers. We don't install HPWHs above or adjacent to bedrooms.

04 /

Does an HPWH work in cold basements?

Yes — Rheem ProTerra operates down to 37°F ambient. Seattle basements run 50-65°F year-round, so it's well within range.

05 /

How long do HPWHs last?

12 to 15 years on average. Slightly shorter than gas tanks (15-18 yrs) because of the heat pump component, but the operating savings more than make up for it.

06 /

Do you offer financing on water heaters?

Yes — 0% APR for 12 months on HPWH installs. Most homeowners pay the install out of pocket and get the federal 25C credit on their taxes the following spring.

Schedule your consult

Free on-site evaluation. Written quote in 24 to 48 hours.

Same-day diagnostic for furnace, AC, or electrical service calls within our primary area. King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

Call (206) 200-9134 → Schedule online

Hours Mon-Sun · 7 AM – 8 PM

Service area King · Pierce · Snohomish

Email blacklotushvac@icloud.com

Three Seattle-born partners. 30+ years combined HVAC experience. Master electrician on every consult. PSE Trade Ally with the $1,200 rebate priced into your quote.

Heat pump water heater installation in Seattle.

Tank size, location, electrical, and existing fuel.

Tank size

Location + clearance

Electrical

Existing fuel + plumbing