Heat Pump Water Heaters and On Demand Recirculation

As builders, contractors, and plumbing professionals, you’ve probably seen the buzz around Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWHs) and for good reason—they’re energy-efficient, they help meet stringent green building standards, and they qualify for rebates and incentives across the country.

Here is the part that isn’t talked about enough: a heat pump water heater alone can’t address one of the most frustrating inefficiencies in the home—the long wait for hot water at the tap. That’s where the AutoHot On Demand Recirculation System comes in.

Together, these two technologies form a powerful, synergistic solution for efficient, sustainable, and fast hot water delivery which make them the Ultimate Water Heating Duo. 

How a Heat Pump Water Heater Works (and Why It’s Game-Changing)

Unlike traditional electric or gas water heaters that generate heat directly, a HPWH moves heat from the surrounding air into the water tank using a refrigeration cycle—much like an air conditioner in reverse.

Key Benefits of a HPWH:

• HPWH are 3x more efficient than standard electric or high efficiency gas heaters.
• Reduces utility bills and carbon emissions.
• Eligible for federal tax credits and local utility rebates.
• Ideal for ENERGY STAR and Zero Energy Ready Homes.

HPWHs operate (by gradually transferring ambient heat), their recovery rate can be slower than gas or electric resistance heaters. This becomes especially noticeable when hot water is being drawn frequently, or over long pipe runs.

The Hidden Problem: Water Waste from Waiting – You will still get this!

One of the biggest complaints homeowners have—especially in larger or multi-story homes is how long it takes for hot water to arrive at a distant faucet or shower.

This problem leads to:

• Thousands of gallons of water wasted per year.
• Unnecessary energy losses as pipes cool down after each use.
• Frustrated end users who end up blaming the water heater.
  

Although HPWHs are efficient, they can’t fix this issue alone nor can they Eliminate the Wait for Hot Water. 

What Is AutoHot On Demand Recirculation?

The AutoHot On Demand Recirculation System is a retrofit-friendly or new-construction-ready solution that instantly circulates hot water to your fixture when you need it—only when you need it.

The AutoHot smart, sensor-activated system doesn’t run constantly (unlike timer or temperature-based pumps), which makes it incredibly efficient.

How AutoHot Works:

1. You push a button or trigger a motion sensor.
2. The AutoHot pump activates, pulling hot water from the heater through the plumbing loop.
3. When hot water reaches the end of the plumbing line, the pump turns off
4. You get hot water instantly with zero waste.

HPWHs Need AutoHot to Truly Be Efficient

Here’s the synergy: HPWHs are great at heating water efficiently—but not great at delivering it quickly. That’s not their job.

Pairing an HPWH with an AutoHot On Demand System means:

• You get the maximum efficiency of your heat pump.
• You Eliminate the Wait for Hot Water. 
• You preserve the life of the water heater by reducing unnecessary cycles.
• You help builders hit green building benchmarks like LEED, ENERGY STAR, and California Title 24.

AutoHot completes the HPWH ecosystem and makes it a truly efficient water heating system that will last you for decades. 

Why On Demand Recirculation Is the Future

There are recirculation systems on the market that use timers or run continuously—but these defeat the purpose of energy savings. Plus, they can severely diminish the efficiency and heating capacity of the HPWH by pumping water back into the heater for hours out of the day unnecessarily.  This can result in occupants running out of hot water and/or auxiliary heating elements turning on within the water heater which increases energy use and lowers the performance of the heat pump.  By comparison, an On Demand Recirculation Pump, such as AutoHot, only sees about 10-15 minutes of run time per day in TOTAL, which means that you get all of the benefits of fast hot water, without any negative consequences on your HPWH performance. 

On Demand Recirculation:

• Uses less energy
• Preserves hot water heater performance
• Reduces standby heat loss
• Keeps homeowners happy without complicating your plumbing design

Whether you’re retrofitting an existing home or planning a high-performance build, AutoHot integrates cleanly into the system—no dedicated return line required. If you have a dedicated return line then, we have also have a solution for you. 

The Bottom Line for Builders and Plumbers

If you’re installing a Heat Pump Water Heater, you’re already moving in the right direction. But if you’re not pairing it with a smart recirculation system, you’re leaving efficiency—and homeowner satisfaction—on the table as well as your reputation for a builder, plumber or contractor. 

With AutoHot On Demand Recirculation:

• You help clients save both water and energy
• You boost the overall performance of their water heating system – especially the highly talked about HPWH
• You differentiate yourself with solutions that are smart, simple, and sustainable.

Heat Pump Water Heaters and AutoHot On Demand Recirculation Systems create an ideal synergy for efficient water heating. If you were to have a HPWH and On Demand Recirculation System installed, there would be the perfect marriage of heat distribution, sustainability and savings tied all into one perfect copper loop.

This combination not only enhances the overall efficiency of the water heating process but also leads to lower utility bills and a reduced environmental carbon footprint. Together, these technologies provide a practical and sustainable solution for modern homes, ensuring comfort and efficiency in everyday water use.

For more information on our On Demand Recirculation Systems or for distributor pricing, please Contact Us direct to set up a meeting.