A heat pump water heater has a tank, a heat source, and a heat pump system. The heat pump system has a refrigerant path, at least a portion of which is in thermal communication with the water tank volume so that heat transfers from refrigerant to the water tank volume. A fan causes air to flow through a housing, and another portion of the refrigerant path includes an evaporator in the housing. The fan is within the housing and may further be within a second housing. The first housing may comprise a baffle to direct air flow. The fan may be a variable speed fan in communication with a controller, so that the controller controls the fan speed depending on a temperature of the refrigerant.
Patent
BriefPatent brief
Problem
How can heat, airflow, and thermal load be managed more effectively in compact systems?
Novelty
The heat pump system has a refrigerant path, at least a portion of which is in thermal communication with the water tank...
Uses
Patent review
Assignee
Rheem Manufacturing Company
Published
Mar 10, 2026
Inventors
Rodney K. Pugh, Emil J. Antoon, Josue Figueroa, Hector T. Donastorg, Richard T. Robbins
Domain
Thermal systems
Problem
How can heat, airflow, and thermal load be managed more effectively in compact systems?
Solution
heat pump water heater has a tank, a heat source, and a heat pump system.
Key novelty
The heat pump system has a refrigerant path, at least a portion of which is in thermal communication with the water tank volume so that heat transfers from refrigerant to the water tank volume.
Applications
Relevant search intents