Jetson Launches Fixed Price Heat Pump Water Heater with Installation Included

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This Heat Pump Water Heater Week, Jetson dropped some big news. They are bringing a heat pump water heater (HPWH) to market using the same model of vertical integration that they use with heat pump installations, where they procure all equipment as well as install and monitor the HPWHs, all for a fixed price.

CEO Stephen Lake talked with the Advanced Water Heating Initiative about the heat pump water heater that the company is launching into the market and the company’s unique way of owning every step of the installation process, which they believe drives down cost and improves customer experiences.

Jetson is also joining 17 other HPWH manufacturers in what is becoming a full, efficient water heating marketplace.

Jetson the Company

Jetson launched its heat pump model for heating and cooling homes just two years ago. They got started in Vancouver BC and Denver, and since have moved into New York, California, Tennessee and Maryland.

Their model is to own the entire process of heat pump installation, from quoting to procurement, to installation, to servicing and repairs. They also analyze data from their equipment to make sure systems are running optimally. Their goal is to tackle the two biggest hurdles to electrification and decarbonization — cost and consumer experience.

From heat pumps for space heating, the company is now moving into the heat pump water heater space. They said they’ve heard from homeowners who wanted their water heater replaced in addition to their furnace. And Jetson is bringing the same philosophy of owning the whole installation process, which could shake things up in the industry.

Where We Are Now with HPWHs

Heat pump water heaters are at an inflection point. Their sales are still only around 2 to 3% of water heater sales nationally, but they’ve grown consistently since coming to market 15 years ago and there are now many product options and manufacturers to choose from. Plus, an upcoming DOE water heating standard will phase out inefficient, electric water heaters and give a boost to this technology starting in 2029. Sales could rise into the millions by the end of the decade.

But, like most technologies on the early part of their adoption curve, heat pump water heaters can carry an upfront cost that is 2 to 3 times more than other water heaters. Many areas have rebates to help with these costs, and many consumers are DIYing their installations to save money, but the high price barrier remains.

Jetson sees an opportunity here, they are promising to install a 50 gallon heat pump water heater for a fixed price of $4,495 all in, and that’s before rebates. This includes any electrical work that might be required to upgrade a house to accept a 240V HPWH that needs a 30A breaker. The company feels like owning every part of the process allows them to trim costs that otherwise get added as the equipment moves from manufacturer to distributor to contractor to homeowner.

Their HPWH is pretty standard for the industry these days — it has top and side connections (which makes installation easier), is ducting enabled, and has leak detection. They are also including a mixing valve with every installation, which means the tank will store water at 140 degrees and will provide extra hot water.

Other differentiators for the company are their ability to monitor and maintain the unit. They claim to monitor all of their installed equipment to make sure it is working as well and as efficiently as possible. For HPWHs, this could be important to ensure the water heaters are delivering the efficiency and utility bill savings promised.

Jetson also offers a “Jetson Care” package, where for around $10/month the HPWH will receive any maintenance it needs. This piece of mind could be important. If the compressor was to fail in year three, the HPWH would be replaced at no cost. We’ve seen other extended warranties emerge in the industry, but this is the first I know of offered by a manufacturer.

All in all, it is exciting that Jetson is getting into the HPWH market. Fixed price installations that are cost competitive, done quickly, and maintained over time could greatly improve customer experience of HPWHs and increase adoption.

Check out our interview with Jetson as part of HPWH Week.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The Advanced Water Heating Initiative (AWHI) does not receive payment, free products, or other compensation for manufacturer spotlights, interviews, or articles, and does not endorse or recommend specific products or brands. AWHI’s role is to educate the market on developments in heat pump water heater technology in support of informed decision-making and market transformation. Read more about AWHI’s content policy here.