[Cbriggi]

We (I) installed a Rheem heat pump hot water heater as a replacement to an old resistance hot water heater in the garage last year.
Benefits are:
Lower electrical use (estimated 4 years of use to justify the cost difference)
WiFi - if we head out on vacation and forget to put in vacation mode can do via cell phone
Smart - it takes longer to reheat the water - but if demand is high (overnight guests) it switches to resistance heat. Also you can see the electrical usage.
Cooling - acts as an AC in the garage. Granted only a few degrees but when running you can stand in front and cool off!
Dehumidifier - while running it dehumidifies the air in the garage. Again not huge but maybe 10 to 20% lower than outside air.

Size - same footprint but taller.
Piping - cold water inlet is on the bottom, so a bit of added pipe to accommodate. Also taller so adjust the return line.

You do need a drain line for the condensation. It can’t be the same as the pressure relief line. I have a slop sink nearby I tied into.

Uses the same power line as original h2o heater.

I can use an air compressor to blow off the fins but have not had to yet. There is a rudimentary air filter to prevent larger particles from entering. That is still clean after 1 year.

Overall happy with the performance. Since we have installed no issues and have not run out of hot water. I have to rely on the science to let me know it was worth the investment, as we also installed a car charger around the same time so electricity bill isn’t a valid indicator.

Would I do it again? So far yes.

YMMV