What Are the Main Types of Water Heaters for Your Home?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating makes up 20% of your home’s energy use. So, if you’re looking at replacing a water heater in your home, now’s your chance to reduce your electricity bill too.
You can do this by choosing an energy-efficient model of your current water heater, or considering alternative hot water systems.
Keep reading to discover the different types of water heaters you can pick from nowadays.
Storage Tank Hot Water Heaters
Storage tank water heaters hold up to 40 gallons of water at a time. An electrical element heats the water to 120° F and insulation inside the tank keeps it warm until needed.
Once you’ve used all the water, the tank refills and heats the water again. This can take up to an hour for a large tank.
For affordability and ease of water heater installation, these are a top choice for many owners. On the downside, the constant heating and reheating of the water have a major impact on your electricity bill.
Fortunately, nowadays, you can install a high-efficiency A.O. Smith, GE, or John Wood hot water tank if you want to spend less on running these water heaters.
Types of Water Heaters With No Tank
Tankless water heaters feature super-heated coils that warm water as required. These on-demand water heaters can provide an almost endless supply of hot water, provided you buy the correct size for your home.
You can choose from gas- or electricity-powered tankless water heaters. They’re both extremely energy-efficient, but the upfront costs of installation are high.
If you run your home on natural gas, you may need an extra gas line if you use a lot of hot water.
Solar Water Heaters
These water heaters are extremely energy-efficient and ideal for homes in hot, sunny climates.
They rely on solar panels to generate energy, which transfers to a closed-loop system made of heat-conductive material. The energy heats the water in a tank.
In unfavorable conditions, you’ll need a backup source of energy, like electricity, to see to all your hot water needs. These systems are also extremely expensive to install.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
These water heaters use up to 60% less electricity than conventional storage-tank water heaters. They use a minimal amount of energy to transfer heat from the ground or air to heat water in a tank.
It’s another expensive option and won’t work well in very cold climates, though.
Condensing Water Heater
Condensing water heaters work exceptionally well if you run your home on natural gas. They funnel heat generated by your other appliances through a coil in the bottom of a tank to heat the water.
These water heaters require large tanks, so they aren’t ideal for smaller homes.
More of the Hottest Home Improvement Tips
It’s important to consider all the pros and cons of each water heater type in line with your existing home plumbing system. These include wagering upfront costs vs efficiency, durability, and the maintenance required by each type.
Aside from deciding on the best types of water heaters for your needs, there are plenty of other ways to make your home more efficient in modern times.
Keep browsing our blog to discover the best ones.
