The Heat Pump Installation Process: What to Expect

A few things need to be in place before your installer arrives.

Space Requirements

Your heat pump needs at least 450 cubic feet of air around it. This matters because the unit pulls heat from that air to warm your water. Think of it like your home's HVAC. Without enough airflow, performance suffers. Basements and garages usually work well. Utility rooms with decent air circulation are fine too.

If you're installing a Voltex® X, this doesn't apply to your indoor space. The heat pump unit lives outside, so there are no indoor airflow requirements. The indoor storage tank fits in the same footprint as a standard electric water heater.

Electrical Setup

Heat pumps come in 120V plug-in models and 240V or 208V hardwired models. The 120V option plugs into a regular outlet. No special wiring needed. The Voltex® X requires a 208/240 VAC, 60Hz, single-phase, 20-amp dedicated circuit for the heat pump unit. The storage tank also requires a separate 120 VAC, 60Hz, single-phase, 15-amp shared circuit. The Voltex® X delivers up to 3.80 UEF, which can reduce the cost of water heating by up to 76% compared to standard electric water heaters. Your installer looks at what you have and makes sure everything meets your home's setup and local codes.

Plumbing and Drainage

The water connections work like any other tank replacement—cold water comes in, hot water goes out.

But heat pumps make condensate, same as your AC does in summer. That water needs somewhere to go. You'll need a drain line to a floor drain, or a condensate pump if there's no floor drain close by. The installer sets this up and makes sure it drains properly.

Climate Considerations

Most A. O. Smith heat pumps work when the air around them stays between 37°F and 120°F. Most basements and garages stay in that range all year, even in cold climates. The Voltex® X extends that range, operating between -25°F and 109°F for homeowners in harsher winter regions.

Below 37°F, or if your water temperature drops to 55°F, A. O. Smith hybrid models flip to backup electric heating automatically. The Voltex® X continues operating in heat pump mode until temperatures drop below -25°F. You get hot water no matter what the weather does.

Split heat pump configurations separate the heat pump component from the storage tank. Compare split heat pump and integrated heat pump options, or explore commercial split heat pumps.

Installation day follows a pretty standard pattern. Here's the breakdown.

Site Assessment and Old Unit Removal

Your installer shows up and walks through your space. They look at the electrical situation and double-check the drainage plan. They figure out what permits are needed based on local codes and handle getting those.

Replacing an old water heater? They drain it first, then disconnect the water lines and power before hauling it out. Most companies throw disposal into the price, but make sure you ask about that when you're getting quotes.

Positioning the New Unit

The unit goes where air can move around it freely. Your installer leaves enough room so you can get to the controls later and do maintenance when needed. They put it close to wherever the condensate will drain and position it so the display panel is easy to reach.

Electrical Work

120V models plug in and have built-in GFCI protection. The 240V models are wired to a dedicated circuit. Your installer follows local electrical codes and sticks to what the manufacturer says to do.

Plumbing Connections

Your water lines get hooked up. The temperature and pressure relief valve comes factory-installed on most models. All codes require an expansion tank for any closed plumbing system, so your installer adds one if that's what your area requires.

Condensate Drainage

A drain line runs to your floor drain. No floor drain? They set up a condensate pump instead. They test the water flow before moving to the next step.

Testing and Configuration

The tank gets filled. Every connection gets checked for leaks. Power comes on. Your installer tests the heat pump, then tests the backup electric elements. They program your temperature settings and get the smart features working, including Wi-Fi monitoring through the A. O. Smith iCOMM™ app if your model has it. They check that the unit switches between heat pump mode and electric mode the way it should.

Final Walkthrough

Your installer walks you through the controls before leaving. They explain what the different operating modes do and when you'd use them. They can cover basic maintenance tasks and show you how to register your warranty.

Electrical work has to follow local codes. Most places require permits for plumbing connections. Professional installers can handle paperwork and inspections. Heat pumps work by pulling heat from the air, which is why airflow matters so much. Your temperature and pressure settings need to match how much hot water your household actually uses and what your water conditions are.

Warranty coverage usually requires professional installation. Problems with installation can void your warranty if something fails later. Having a licensed installer document the work protects what you spent.

Our installer network gets trained on heat pump systems, including ProLine XE®, Voltex®, and Voltex® X models that use commercial-grade components sized for homes. These contractors handle permits, do the installation, and run the tests.

Contractors can access training through A. O. Smith University, which covers technical specs, troubleshooting, and installation practices.

The heat pump fan runs off and on during normal use. The outside of the unit might feel cool, and the air around it might get a little cooler too, since the system is pulling heat out of that air.

For integrated heat pump models, you have several operating modes. Heat pump or efficiency mode gives you the best efficiency for everyday use. Electric mode runs on electric elements only. It kicks in when the air temperature drops too low or the water temperature drops too low, then defaults back to Hybrid mode after a set amount of time. Hybrid mode is the recommended setting and switches between the two automatically based on conditions. If equipped, guest mode provides maximum hot water for up to seven days. Vacation mode saves energy when you're gone for a while. Quietest Operation mode minimizes noise during operation.

The Voltex® X runs at 40 dBA outside and 0 dBA inside your home. Since the heat pump unit is outdoors, you won't hear noise inside. Available modes include Heat Pump for maximum efficiency, Guest for up to seven days of increased hot water output, Vacation to reduce energy use while you're away, and Quietest Operation.

If your model connects to Wi-Fi, download the iCOMM™ app here. Set up alerts for maintenance reminders and leak detection. You can watch your energy use and see what you're saving compared to before.

Most people see lower energy bills within the first month. Track a few months of bills to see the full difference. Winter shows the biggest gap since regular electric water heaters use more energy when it's cold.

Call your installer if you hear weird sounds, see error messages, or notice the water temperature isn't consistent. Most problems are quick fixes, either over the phone or with a short service visit.

A. O. Smith has been manufacturing water heaters for over 80 years. We produce residential and commercial water heating systems from the world's largest water heater factory in Tennessee.

Our product line includes traditional tank water heaters, tankless systems, and heat pump technology. ProLine XE®, Voltex®, and Voltex® X all use commercial-grade components designed for residential applications. These ENERGY STAR® certified systems deliver energy savings compared to standard electric water heaters.

We work with a nationwide network of certified contractors trained on our systems. A. O. Smith University provides technical training, installation best practices, and troubleshooting resources for professional installers.