Replacing a gas water heater with a heat pump unit needs a dedicated 240V circuit at the right amperage. We size, install, permit, and coordinate with your plumber.
A heat pump water heater moves heat out of the surrounding air into the tank instead of generating it from scratch, so it uses a fraction of the electricity of a standard electric-resistance tank — that's the whole pitch, and it's why HPWHs anchor most all-electric conversion plans.
The electrical side is straightforward but real: most gas water heater locations have no 240V circuit at all, so the conversion needs a new dedicated circuit — typically 30A — run from the panel to the water heater location, plus a panel-capacity check to confirm the headroom is there.
The split of trades matters here. We do the electrical: circuit, breaker, receptacle or hardwire connection, permit, inspection. Your plumber sets the unit, handles water connections and condensate, and caps the old gas line — that's C-36 scope, not ours. We coordinate so the circuit is live before the plumber schedules the swap, and if the panel itself needs work first, you'll know at the quote — every main panel job we do is a full service rebuild, priced plainly up front.
A tech confirms panel headroom, scouts the circuit route to the water heater location, and sends a written quote. If you're doing other electrification work, we map it all in one visit.
We schedule the circuit work ahead of the plumber's install date so the new unit has power the day it lands.
New breaker in the panel, circuit run to the location, termination installed and labeled. Power down only briefly while the breaker lands.
AHJ inspection coordinated for the electrical scope. You get the permit + sign-off paperwork for your records and any rebate applications.
Quotes are free and specific. An HPWH circuit is one of the smaller electrification jobs, and the honest cost mostly tracks the run from your panel to the water heater location and whether the panel has the headroom to take it. The factors below are what move the number.
“Thank you to the Sunrise Electrical Contracting team for updating the new main electrical system on my mom's home after the storm damaged the power lines and home equipment this winter… They replaced Main Service Upgrade Overhead, and added a Sub-Panel Install/Replacement Outdoors… the team of Branden, Jimmy, Ian, and Tylor worked long hours during the storm for a few days to get us up and running again before the next storm arrived.”
“Sunrise Electrical rewired our house, replacing the old knob-and-tube wiring with seamless, safe, and up-to-code wiring at a very reasonable price. They were incredibly efficient, worked cleanly, and addressed all our questions and concerns with care. We can't recommend them highly enough!”
“Branden & his experienced crew installed a Level 2 electric charger together with an extra 240v outlet in our Live Oak garage. They were informed, congenial, & professional and their work was timely and permitted as required by the County. (The cost of the County permit was 53% of the entire project cost — no 5 stars for the County.) I highly recommend Sunrise Electrical!”
Pulled from what we actually hear on quotes and on-site. If yours isn't here, ask us — we'll answer in plain English.
We'd rather you get the right outcome than the Sunrise outcome. Some of this points away from us on purpose.
Find a licensed CSLB C-10 electrical contractor to pair with your plumber. Verify licenses at cslb.ca.gov and keep the electrical scope its own permitted work.
Browse our field guidesHeat pump water heaters fell under the federal 25C credit until it ended in 2025. Utility rebates are what apply now.
What happened to the federal tax creditA free whole-home inspection maps panel headroom against everything on your electrification list, so the sequencing happens once, in the right order.
Schedule a free inspectionFrom Davenport to Pajaro Dunes, San Lorenzo Valley to Pleasure Point. Same crew, same warranty, same pricing.
Free inspection, honest panel math, and a circuit that's live before your plumber needs it. 20-year guarantee on the work.