How Many Amps Does a Heat-Pump Water Heater Use?
Heat-Pump Water Heater draws about 2.3 amps at 240 volts (550 watts running) and briefly spikes to around 5 amps at startup. Heat-Pump Water Heater runs on its own dedicated 240 V circuit — a 550 W load calls for at least a 15 A double-pole breaker (your unit's nameplate may require more).
Amps = watts ÷ volts. Enter the wattage from your appliance's nameplate or label for an exact figure.
Current draw — a heat-pump water heater
2.3 A
- At 240 V
- 550 W
- Typical breaker
- 15 A
Breaker figure is guidance for a simple resistive load, sized at 125% for continuous running — confirm against the nameplate and a licensed electrician.
Heat-Pump Water Heater amperage at 120 V and 240 V
Same 550 W load — the current halves when the voltage doubles. Heat-Pump Water Heater is typically a 240 V appliance in US homes.
| Draw | Watts | Amps at 120 V | Amps at 240 V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running | 550 W | 4.6 A | 2.3 A |
| Starting (surge) | 1,200 W | 10 A | 5 A |
The startup surge lasts a fraction of a second — it matters for generator sizing and breaker trip curves, not for your electric bill.
Breaker and circuit for a heat-pump water heater
Heat-Pump Water Heater runs on its own dedicated 240 V circuit — a 550 W load calls for at least a 15 A double-pole breaker (your unit's nameplate may require more). For a dedicated circuit, guidance is a 15 A breaker with 14 AWG copper (75°C terminations) — sized at 125% of the running current because it runs 3+ hours at a time (NEC 210.20).
Guidance only — actual circuit sizing depends on your unit's nameplate, wire run length, and local code. Confirm with a licensed electrician. See the wire & breaker size chart for the full NEC ampacity table.
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