Bradford White Heat Pump Water Heater Case Study

Project Summary

Project Type

Bradford White Heat Pump Water Heater Install

Location

Santa Cruz, California

Duration

1 day install completed by 2 plumbing installers and 1 electrician.

Services Provided

Replace Water Heater
Gas to Electric Water Heater Conversion

The Challenge

A homeowner in Santa Cruz needed to replace their aging gas water heater in the garage. With growing interest in electrification and energy efficiency, they chose to upgrade to a modern heat pump water heater system, which required converting from gas to electric power.

The Solution

Our team installed a 50-gallon Bradford White AeroTherm Heat Pump Electric Water Heater, completing a full conversion from gas to electric in a single day. The installation required coordinating plumbing and electrical work to ensure code compliance and optimal performance.

Project Scope & Key Components

Equipement Installed:
- Bradford White AeroTherm 50-Gallon Heat Pump Electric Water Heater

Installation Process

Our comprehensive installation included:

Preparation & Removal

Secured all required permits
Drained, disconnected, and hauled away old gas water heater for recycling
Capped existing gas line
Shut off water supply at existing valve

New System Installation

Installed new heat pump water heater in existing location
Installed water heater pan with exterior drain line
Installed seismic blocking behind unit
Secured water heater with new seismic straps per code requirements

Plumbing Connections

Installed thermostatic mixing valve for temperature control
Connected new hot and cold water supply hoses
Installed temperature and pressure relief valve tied to existing drain line
Ran condensate drain line to exterior

Electrical Work

Re-purposed nearby existing dedicated 30-amp dryer circuit
Extended electrical connection to new unit per code

Testing & Commissioning

Filled water heater and activated system
Calibrated temperature settings
Bled air from all lines
Tested for proper performance and safety
Cleaned up and removed all job debris

The Results

The homeowner now enjoys reliable hot water with significantly lower operating costs thanks to heat pump technology. The electric system eliminates gas combustion concerns and qualifies for potential utility rebates and tax incentives. Completed in just one day, this efficient conversion demonstrates our commitment to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction.

Photo Highlights

Our team completed this gas-to-electric water heater conversion in a single day with careful coordination between plumbing and electrical work. After securing permits and removing the old gas water heater, we capped the gas line and prepared the garage location with proper seismic blocking, straps, and a safety pan with exterior drainage. The new 50-gallon Bradford White AeroTherm heat pump unit was installed in the existing location, with all new water supply connections, a thermostatic mixing valve for temperature control, and proper condensate drainage to the exterior. Our electrician repurposed the nearby 30-amp dryer circuit and extended it to power the new unit according to code requirements. The installation was completed with thorough testing, temperature calibration, and air bleeding to ensure optimal performance and reliability for years to come.

Thermostatic Mixer for Water Heater Replacement

Water Heater Installed on a Wooden Platform

Bradford White Heat Pump Water Heater Installation

System Benefits & performance Impact

The conversion from gas to electric heat pump technology delivers substantial energy savings, with the Bradford White AeroTherm operating up to three times more efficiently than conventional electric water heaters and significantly outperforming old gas units. Homeowners benefit from lower monthly utility bills while eliminating combustion-related safety concerns such as gas leaks, carbon monoxide risks, and pilot light maintenance. This eco-friendly upgrade reduces the home’s carbon footprint by eliminating direct fossil fuel consumption and qualifies for valuable utility rebates and federal tax incentives that help offset installation costs. The heat pump system provides consistent, reliable hot water performance while the professionally installed seismic straps, mixing valve, and proper drainage ensure long-term safety and code compliance. Completing the entire conversion in just one day with minimal disruption demonstrates our commitment to efficient, high-quality service that modernizes your home’s infrastructure for a cleaner energy future.

Need a New Water Heater System in Santa Cruz, CA?

Get expert help from Bellows Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. We’ll recommend the right system and install it with precision and care.

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Staffan Lofgren

Cody was very professional and friendly. Bellows is the best HVAC installer we have encountered.

Cas Ellena

Bellows was great, thank you for coming so fast and fixing the problem!

Bacchus Ridge

Zach did a fantastic and determined job of conquering our leak from under our crawlspace. Bellows sent someone an hour after I called with a leak report, although it was the end of the day. He diagnosed the issue, got cold water working, and was back the next day with the parts for the hot. Great attitude and fabulous service. Thanks, team bellows!

Jason Barraca

I received great service for my water heater. Nate was very professional and thorough.

Tom Larter

Bellows is outstanding. Best communication and the techs are amazing. Polite and always stay until the Job is done. Scottie is our hero. He is so helpful, polite and fixes every thing we need. We have used Bellows for out home for the last 14 years and never had anything other than 6 star service.

Mark Scofield

I give high praise to Bellows for performing three different jobs in succession. First, after being called to have a look, a Bellows troubleshooter recommended we replace our 40-year-old central furnace. We opted to respect his professional judgement. A two-man crew came and got the job done efficiently and with little disturbance. We asked for someone to have a look at our equally old shower valve. A man came to estimate the job then returned to replace it another day. Perfect! We love that we no longer wrestle with the old valve. Last, we asked that someone come to look at our home lighting. A man came to help us formulate a plan. Another two-man crew came and began work. We discussed our needs and minor changes were made to improve our environment further. In every case, we were treated courteously. When they requested permission to make changes, they were forthright and benefitted our environment. A sticking point to me, a retired craftsman, is cleanliness. Every person entering our home was professionally neat and left not the slightest dust for us after they left. I am impressed. Overall, my wife and I spoke with many people from Bellows both in person and on the phone. We would like to stress our perception that in every case, we felt we were working with a family business. That is, we were addressed courteously, and as friends, not simply clients. A few weeks on and we still marvel that we waited so long to do this work. As you see, we're glad we chose Bellows. Thanks!