I recently purchased an E-tech water heater heat pump. In order to use this heat pump to heat the water in my hot water heater, the power rating of the water heater must not exceed 4500W. Currently, I have an AO Smith water heater in perfect condition. The problem that I have is that my water heater has a combined (dual element) consumption of 9000W. Since this particular model of water heater doesn't have an electronic thermostat, can't I simply disconnect the supply wire to one element (the lower one) to satisfy the load rating of the heat pump and avoid buying another water heater? I am very interested if anyone has ever used one of these E-tech heat pumps, and if they had good results. The units have been made for 25+ years, so I think the technology is mature. Plumbers...please help! Thanks.