LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Midea has launched a heat-pump water heater (HPWH), which the company describes as an advanced solution designed to provide efficient water heating for homes across North America.

The new HPWH is part of the shift from traditional water-heating methods to energy-efficient air-source technology, a press release from Midea said.

Designed to meet Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) Tier 4 and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Advanced Tier specifications — the highest levels of energy- efficiency certification available — the HPWH aims to reduce utility bills and lower carbon emissions, the press release said.

In the U.S., the HPWH may qualify for a federal tax credit, covering up to 30% of the project cost, with a cap of $2,000 annually. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Home Energy Rebates Program offers rebates for certain heat-pump installation costs. State-specific rebates in some places further reduce the financial burden for homeowners.

In Canada, the HPWH is eligible for rebates of up to $3,500 through the Canada Greener Homes Grant program.

The Midea HPWH uses advanced air-source heat-transfer technology to move thermal energy from the surrounding air into water. This process achieves an impressive efficiency rate of up to 400%, making the Midea HPWH almost four times more energy efficient than traditional models, the press release said. By harnessing this technology, the Midea HPWH addresses the limitations of traditional systems, such as high operating costs, inconsistent heating, and environmental impact. For North American households, this translates into savings of up to 75% annually on energy bills, the press release said.

The Midea HPWH offers a lightweight design, easy-to-grasp handles, and a valve location that makes for quick and straightforward installation, the company said.

The HPWH is engineered to provide consistent performance with features like a leakage-prevention system, an automatic shutoff valve, and frost protection for reliable operation in a wide ambient temperature range. The HPWH has a 91-gallon first-hour rating and an inverter fan that runs as low as 49.5 dBA to enable quiet operation.

The HPWH offers three customizable operational modes — a heat-pump-only economy mode for maximum energy efficiency, an E-heater mode for quick heating, and a hybrid mode for a balance of performance and savings. With Wi-Fi connectivity, homeowners can control and monitor the system remotely.

Midea’s heat-pump water heater is available across North America through Midea’s distributor network.