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. While these appliances are often hidden away, they play a key role in daily life. Heat pump technology is improving the category in a big way by lowering operating costs to consumers without any compromise on performance or reliability, offering a smart upgrade for the modern home.
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. This full testing has allowed us to observe the unit’s performance over time. 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 is a significant energy drain, accounting for about 20% of the average home’s total energy costs. The Signature 900 combats this high cost by capturing heat from the air and transferring it to the water in the tank, a process that is far more efficient than traditional methods. This allows the Signature 900 to slash energy consumption by roughly 75% compared with a standard electric water heater, saving households up to $600 per year. Furthermore, to make energy efficiency more accessible, rebates from local utilities could reduce the upfront cost by as much as $1,800, providing a substantial financial incentive for upgrading.
Related: Cucumber Countdown Twelve Fresh Ideas to Save Them
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. The unit is built to sustain high demand, boasting 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, meaning it can easily handle back-to-back showers. 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 to ensure comfort for all guests.
3. Reliability Over the Long Haul. Durability is essential for an appliance that is used so frequently. All of the Signature 900 units our experts have had installed in the homes of testers have been running for years now without issue, proving their long-term worth. Several features contribute to that reliability, including the water heater’s copper elements and ceramic-lined interior, which resist rust and corrosion that often degrade lesser tanks. One note on installation: because heat pump water heaters are still relatively new and have specific operational needs, it is important to work with a qualified installer to make sure the siting and hookup are done properly to guarantee the unit functions correctly.
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 that keep you informed wherever you are. Our engineers like the Smart Leak Watch feature, which will send an alert to your phone the instant a leak is detected, ensuring you are never caught off guard. 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, offering robust protection against the nightmare scenario of extensive water damage.
