Hi all,
We’ll be installing a 50-gal HPWH in a remodel project which includes transitioning from natural gas to electric space heating and water heating. Hot water load will be small so we have no concerns about slow recovery rate; a HPWH will readily meet our needs. I’m looking for feedback on your experience with specific brands/models.

We’re finalizing the dimensions of the closet in which the water heater will be located. The layout is tight but we of course need to make sure we provide adequate space for plumbing connections and ducting. Supply air will be provided via a louvered door; exhaust will be ducted to the crawlspace below (which is inside the thermal envelope).

Our contractor has posed three different units (all for about the same installed cost):
* State Premier XL HPSX-50-DHPT (top exhaust)
* Rheem Professional Prestige Proterra PROPH50 T2 RH375-SO (side exhaust)
* Bradford White Aerotherm RE2H50S10-CON (side exhaust)

Any experience pro or con with any of these units – noise, reliability, durability, etc – would be helpful.

As the water heater closet will be located adjacent to the kitchen, noise is a consideration. We have listened to the B-W unit at a friend’s house; it’s level of noise would be fine. I have seen complaints in this forum about condenser fan noise with the Rheem “Gen 5” units – not sure whether the model currently available is that generation. The State unit marketing materials claim “45 dBA operating sound level is the quietest heat pump in the industry.”

Thanks in advance,
Doug

PS We’re in northern Colorado, CZ 5B.