Water Heater - Which is the Best Option For Your House?
It will be beneficial for you to have a good idea about water heater options before the one you are using right now breaks down and then you would have to rush to replace it.
Because they are the second largest energy consumers in most homes, it is really worth carefully choosing the right one for you.
These are just some of the types available in the market: 1.
Storage Tank This is the most common type available in the market.
Storage tank water heaters hold water in a tank and keep it.
When you compare these models with their Energy Factor (EF) value, which is commonly listed on the energy label, a higher EF value usually means that it is more efficient.
After which, you should look for the insulation R-value of 24 which also means more efficiency and a lower operation cost.
If an existing water heater is warm to the touch, adding a 15-dollar insulation blanket on the tank can save up to 45 percent of the heat loss and up to nine percent in water-heating costs.
They range in size up to 80 gallons.
2.
Tankless Also known as "demand" water heaters, they eliminate the storage tank by heating water directly at its point of use when needed.
They have virtually no heat loss but you should remember that the electric type does require significant energy when in use.
Existing homes often need to upgrade their electrical system, which means that, a neighborhood transformer must be upgraded at certain times to handle the extra demand.
Gas models are also available.
Oftentimes, tankless ones cannot heat more than one major appliance and shower at a time.
Therefore, they are best used to only heat water for remote bathrooms, pool showers or spas.
3.
Heat Pump The efficiency of these types is two to three times higher than conventional electric storage water heaters.
One significant difference is that they use refrigerant fluid and compressors instead of electric resistance.
They are available with built-in storage tanks.
There are also some which are add-ons to existing hot water tanks and often do not require additional plumbing or penetrations into walls to replace those with storage.
The best energy and cost savings are accomplished when they are used in warm climates.
The initial extra cost over a storage water heater is usually regained in the first 2-5 years of use.
4.
Solar Water Heaters They use energy from the sun to heat water.
They typically serve as pre-heaters for conventional ones.
Besides saving energy, solar water heaters can also save you significant amounts of money over a long term.
While the initial cost is significant, rebates, incentives and tax credits are often available through state and local governments.
Because they are the second largest energy consumers in most homes, it is really worth carefully choosing the right one for you.
These are just some of the types available in the market: 1.
Storage Tank This is the most common type available in the market.
Storage tank water heaters hold water in a tank and keep it.
When you compare these models with their Energy Factor (EF) value, which is commonly listed on the energy label, a higher EF value usually means that it is more efficient.
After which, you should look for the insulation R-value of 24 which also means more efficiency and a lower operation cost.
If an existing water heater is warm to the touch, adding a 15-dollar insulation blanket on the tank can save up to 45 percent of the heat loss and up to nine percent in water-heating costs.
They range in size up to 80 gallons.
2.
Tankless Also known as "demand" water heaters, they eliminate the storage tank by heating water directly at its point of use when needed.
They have virtually no heat loss but you should remember that the electric type does require significant energy when in use.
Existing homes often need to upgrade their electrical system, which means that, a neighborhood transformer must be upgraded at certain times to handle the extra demand.
Gas models are also available.
Oftentimes, tankless ones cannot heat more than one major appliance and shower at a time.
Therefore, they are best used to only heat water for remote bathrooms, pool showers or spas.
3.
Heat Pump The efficiency of these types is two to three times higher than conventional electric storage water heaters.
One significant difference is that they use refrigerant fluid and compressors instead of electric resistance.
They are available with built-in storage tanks.
There are also some which are add-ons to existing hot water tanks and often do not require additional plumbing or penetrations into walls to replace those with storage.
The best energy and cost savings are accomplished when they are used in warm climates.
The initial extra cost over a storage water heater is usually regained in the first 2-5 years of use.
4.
Solar Water Heaters They use energy from the sun to heat water.
They typically serve as pre-heaters for conventional ones.
Besides saving energy, solar water heaters can also save you significant amounts of money over a long term.
While the initial cost is significant, rebates, incentives and tax credits are often available through state and local governments.
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