3 New Hot Water Heater Technologies

hot-water-heaterWhen your old hot water heater stops working, you will either need to repair or replace it. However, with hot water heater technology evolving at such a rapid rate, it can be hard to pinpoint which option is best for you. The information below discusses three of the most popular high tech hot water heaters to help you find the right balance between efficiency and performance for your particular home.

Tankless Hot Water Heater (see picture above left).

Like the name suggests, these water heaters do not contain a water storage tank. Instead of keeping 40 or 50 gallons of heated water in a reservoir 24 hours a day (which is a waste of energy and a drain on your utility bill) a tank-less unit heats the water as you need it.

Pros:

  • Never run out of hot water
  • Saves about 30-50% in energy costs, when compared to conventional gas heaters
  • Takes up less space

Cons:

  • Takes about 3-8 seconds to heat the water to the desired temperature
  • Not easy to install
  • Must be flushed with special chemicals every year to maintain energy efficiency and remove scale

Hybrid Electric Heat-pump Hot Water Heater

This type of hot water heater works by pulling heat out of the surrounding air and pumping it into the storage pump. It has conventional heating coils but, they only activate when the heat pump cannot sufficiently warm the water by itself.

Pros:

  • Lowest operating cost of any electric water heater on the market, especially if you live in a warm climate and it is installed in your hot garage or attic
  • Potential tax incentives and/or rebates (check with your state and electricity provider)

Cons:

  • Costly price tag
  • Takes up a lot of space
  • Air filter must be cleaned on a regular basis to maintain operating efficiency

Condensing Gas Hot Water Heater

Instead of wasting energy by sending hot exhaust gases out of the flue, a condensing gas hot water heater blows them through the coil at the bottom of the fan to heat the water to the desired temperatures.

Pros:

  • Most energy-efficient, gas powered water heater on the market
  • High first hour recovery rate virtually guarantees that you’ll never run out of hot water

Cons

  • Expensive price tag
  • Require venting and gas line reconfiguration

Important Considerations

Regardless of the model that you choose, there are a couple of ratings that you must check before you buy your new heater:

  • Energy factor (EF): Indicates how efficient the unit is; the higher the number the more efficient the heater.
  • First hour recovery: This is for storage tank heaters and indicates the amount of hot water that you will get within the first hour after opening the spigot.
  • Flow rate: This is for tank-less heaters, that use incoming winter water temperatures to provide the flow rate that you want.

Before you put down a ton of money for a new high tech hot water heater, it is important that you take some time to understand the pros and cons of each. To learn more about hot water heaters, see 5 Facts About Hot Water Heaters. The information above will help you narrow down your options so that you make the right investment for your needs. However, even though all the new models are more energy efficient, that doesn’t mean you’ll find them the most cost effective for your family. Plus, we are always ready to answer your questions and provide you with the facts you need to make an educated decision to meet your particular needs.

 

5 Facts About Hot Water Heaters

hot-water-heaterWithout hot water heaters, we would all have to heat water on the stoves to have hot baths; a tedious and time consuming chore, and not a very pleasant thought.

Thankfully, in this day and age, there are appliances that provide us with readily available hot water with just the turn of a faucet. After a trying day, a hot bath may be all that you need to wash the stress away. While many of us appreciate the feeling we get when we take a hot shower, most of us hardly ever think of how this luxury is provided.

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Types of Hot Water Heaters

Most hot water heaters consist of a drum-shaped tank with a stand on the end but, there are tankless versions as well. The tanks hold a reservoir of hot water so that when the faucet is turned on, the hot water is available to meet your needs. Because of their large size and general aesthetic reasons, the heater’s tank is usually kept out of sight, in the laundry, basement, or a special cupboard.

There are three main types of hot water heaters:

  1. Electric Heaters: Electric heaters are powered by electricity and use a thermostat to help them maintain a comfortable temperature. If the water temperature happens to fall below the preset level, the electric current will raise it to the desired level. These tanks tend to be about 93% efficient; the highest among heater models. (See diagram above)
  2. Gas heaters: Gas heaters operate under similar principles as their electric counterparts. The main difference being that, as the name suggests, they utilize gas for energy. Their level of energy efficiency is largely dependent on their age and size. For instance, models made before 1990 tend to be anywhere from 45% 61% energy efficient. Newer models tend to be at least 62% energy efficient.
  3. Tankless water heaters: As the name suggests, these heaters work without the benefit of a water reservoir; instead they heat the water as needed. They are available in both electric and gas models and are typically about 82% energy efficient.

 

5 Little Known Facts About Hot Water Heaters

Hot water heaters are essential to your total home comfort. However, there is much that we don’t know about them. Take a look at the following 5 facts

  1. Approximately 25% of the energy is used in your home is used to heat your water. Because they use such a large amount of energy, it is important that you purchase a unit that is energy efficient.
  2. Most of your hot water usage comes from doing laundry and taking baths.
  3. The typical hot water heater with a tank lasts anywhere from 10 to 13 years.
  4. Tank water heaters should be drained and filled every 3 months so that they remain in optimum working condition.
  5. Tankless water heaters don’t provide instant hot water when the faucet is turned on.

 

The Bottom Line on Hot Water Heaters

The hot water heater is an essential appliance for every home. Regardless if you are buying your first water heater or your fourth, knowing the facts about water heaters will help you make an informed decision.

Do You Have Questions about Hot Water Heaters?

Call Us Today!

Call Jerrys today

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