It’s hard to imagine, but hundreds of years ago water was heated manually over an open fire. Today, water heaters get the job done effectively at lightning-fast speeds.
Types of Water Heaters
Modern homes are equipped with a variety of water heaters of different sizes and capabilities, depending on the home’s needs. If you’re looking to replace your water heater, here are a few types you should know about.
- Tank Water Heater
The tank water heater is the traditional option, storing a large amount of water at high temperatures to be released when needed. This type of water heater may be fueled by natural gas, electricity, or both. The average lifespan of tank water heaters is 10 to 15 years.
Compared to other types of water heaters, tank water heaters are easier to maintain and repair, have a lower price tag, and are fairly easy to replace.
The cons, however, include higher energy usage, larger space requirement, and increased risk of flooding if the tank fails.
- Tankless Water Heater
Also called an on-demand water heater, the tankless water heater circulates water through a coil system and heats the water as needed. Their average lifespan is 20 to 25 years.
The benefits of tankless water heaters include:
- Require less space to install
- Steady hot supply
- Lower energy consumption
The cons include greater upfront cost, the possibility of needing multiple units for larger homes, and incompatibility with the outdated electrical systems of old homes.
- Point of Use Water Heater
This type of water heater is a popular option for hot tubs, home additions, or any fixture that uses less than 20 gallons of hot water per day. Point of Use (POU) water heaters are installed near the fixture it will supply and are frequently used as a backup system in homes where the primary system is electric or gas.
- Smart Water Heater
A smart water heater may be a tankless system or a thermostat that connects to the existing water heater using WiFi to provide a variety of features. The benefits of this type of water heater include:
- Greater control over water temperature and energy consumption
- Leak detection to minimize water damage
- Cycling of water temperature to kill bacteria
Factors to Consider Before You Buy
Before you make a purchasing decision, consider the water heater’s fuel type, size/profile, capacity, first hour rating, warranty, and energy efficiency. All of these factors could have a significant impact on long-term efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall satisfaction. Don’t hesitate to call Blue Apple Electric for tips, recommendations, and professional installation.