A simulation model for the CO2 heat pump water heater was developed and validated in this study. Component models of the gas cooler, evaporator, compressor, and expansion valve were constructed with careful consideration for the heat transfer performances. To validate the simulation model, experiments were carried out using an actual CO2 heat pump water heater (water heating capacity: 22.3 kW; hot-water temperature: 90 degrees C). In simulations and experiments, the effects of the inlet water temperature and outside air temperature on the system characteristics were discussed. As a result, the average difference in COP between the simulation results and experimental results is 1.5%. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.