Plug-In Heat Pump Water Heaters: Can You Skip the Electrician?
Short answer: Yes, for many homes. A 120-volt plug-in heat pump water heater needs a standard outlet instead of a new 240-volt circuit, which is often the costly part of switching from gas or an old electric tank. The catch is size and space: they may recover more slowly than a 240-volt model, and they need room and air around them.
What is new
Heat pump water heaters have been sold for years, but most needed a 240-volt circuit like an electric dryer. Two makers now list 120-volt plug-in models. Available: maker page read
| Maker and model | What the maker states |
|---|---|
| A. O. Smith Voltex 120V Plug-In (HPTV-50) | 50-gallon tank (66 and 80 gallons also listed). 120 volts on a 15-amp shared circuit. UEF 3. First hour rating 52 gallons. 45 dBA. 10-year limited tank and parts warranty. ENERGY STAR certified. The maker says it saves up to $118 a year compared with a gas water heater. |
| Rheem ProTerra Plug-in | Rheem lists plug-in 120-volt models, with a dedicated-circuit version and a shared-circuit version. Reported: spec sheet not re-read Check the exact sizes and ratings on Rheem's page before you buy. |
Sources: A. O. Smith product page, read September 30, 2026. Rheem spec sheet, listed but not read in full.
Who it suits
- You have a gas water heater and no spare 240-volt circuit. A plug-in unit can avoid new wiring. Ask your installer to check your panel and outlet anyway.
- Small to medium households. A 50-gallon tank with a 52-gallon first hour rating suits a household that does not run many showers and laundry loads back to back.
- A basement, garage or utility room with space. Heat pump water heaters cool the air around them and make some noise (45 dBA for the A. O. Smith model, about a quiet room).
Who should look at a 240-volt model instead
Big households and homes with heavy hot water use. A 240-volt model recovers faster. If you already have a 240-volt circuit from an old electric tank, you give up nothing by using it.
What it costs
We could not find a manufacturer price. One retailer lists the 50-gallon A. O. Smith model at about $3,345, before installation. Reported: one retailer listing Installed cost depends on your home, so get at least two quotes for the same size and model.
Does a rebate apply?
Often, but each program sets its own rules. Many require an ENERGY STAR model, and some keep their own qualified-products list, so check that the exact model is on it before you buy. These are the open programs we track for heat pump water heaters:
| Where | Program | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | CleanBC heat pump water heater (from gas, oil or propane) | $3,500 | Source (checked 2026-09-26) |
| British Columbia | BC Hydro heat pump water heater rebate | Up to $1,000 | Source (checked 2026-10-02) |
| California | SMUD heat pump water heater | Up to $4,000 | Source (checked 2026-10-02) |
| California | LADWP heat pump water heater | Up to $2,500 | Source (checked 2026-10-02) |
| California | Glendale Water & Power: heat pump water heater | Up to $4,000 | Source (checked 2026-09-28) |
| California | Burbank Water & Power: heat pump water heater | Up to $1,500 | Source (checked 2026-10-02) |
| California | Pasadena Water & Power: heat pump water heater | Up to $500 | Source (checked 2026-09-28) |
| Colorado | Xcel Energy heat pump water heater | $1,500 to $750 | Source (checked 2026-09-29) Starts October 1, 2026. |
| Illinois | ComEd heat pump water heater | Up to $750 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Illinois | Peoples Gas tankless or indirect water heater | Up to $150 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Illinois | Nicor Gas water heater | Up to $150 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Massachusetts | Mass Save: heat pump water heater | Up to $750 | Source (checked 2026-09-26) |
| Michigan | Ann Arbor A2ZERO heat pump water heater | $1,000 ($2,000 lower income) | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Michigan | DTE Energy water heater instant discount | Instant discount, amount not posted | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Michigan | Lansing BWL heat pump water heater | $500 to $1,000 | Source (checked 2026-10-10) |
| Minnesota | Xcel Energy heat pump water heater | Up to $500 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Minnesota | Xcel Energy gas water heater | Up to $250 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Minnesota | CenterPoint gas water heater | Up to $1,000 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Power heat pump water heater | Up to $300 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Minnesota | Rochester Public Utilities heat pump water heater | Up to $400 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| New Brunswick | Total Home: heat pump water heater | Up to $550 | Source (checked 2026-10-21) |
| New Jersey | PSE&G heat pump water heater | $750 to $450 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| New Jersey | JCP&L heat pump water heater | Up to $750 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| New Jersey | Atlantic City Electric heat pump water heater | Up to $750 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Nova Scotia | Efficiency Nova Scotia: heat pump water heater | Up to $800 | Source (checked 2026-10-03) |
| New York | NYS Clean Heat: heat pump water heater | $1,300 to $1,250 | Source (checked 2026-10-03) |
| New York | PSEG Long Island heat pump water heater | Up to $1,200 | Source (checked 2026-10-03) |
| Ontario | Home Renovation Savings: heat pump water heater | Up to $500 | Source (checked 2026-10-03) |
| Pennsylvania | PECO heat pump water heater | Up to $350 | Source (checked 2026-10-05) |
| Pennsylvania | PPL Electric heat pump water heater | Up to $400 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Vermont | Efficiency Vermont: heat pump water heater | $1,000 to $600 | Source (checked 2026-10-03) |
| Washington | PSE heat pump water heater | Up to $1,000 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Washington | Seattle City Light heat pump water heater | Up to $750 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Washington | Avista heat pump water heater discount | Up to $500 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Washington | Tacoma Power electric hybrid water heater | Up to $500 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
| Washington | Clark Public Utilities heat pump water heater | Up to $1,500 | Source (checked 2026-10-06) |
Want the number for your home? Use the rebate calculator, then see top-rated installers in your city.
What we could not confirm
Rheem's full specifications, and a manufacturer price for either brand. We will update this page when we have read them.