Water Heaters

Heating water can account for up to 20 percent of your average home energy bill. With new green initiatives for energy efficiency, most people are replacing their old water heaters with new, more energy-efficient models. These new water heaters may be more expensive up front but will save you money in the long run.

There are four different types of water heaters:

• Storage-tank heaters
• Tankless heaters
• Hybrid electric heaters
• Solar water heaters

Storage-Tank Heaters

Storage-tank heaters are, essentially, tall cylinders filled by way of a cold water pipe that is then heated in the tank and distributed through a hot water pipe thereafter. These are typically fueled by gas run off a separate line or a pre-existing gas line. It is possible for these to be fueled with oil or powered by electric, however, gas is the most economical option.

Tankless Heaters

Tankless water heaters, also referred to as “instantaneous water heaters”, are often no bigger than a suitcase. They heat only the amount of water needed by way of an electric coil or using natural gas. These units have a long life expectancy and are energy efficient, however, they have a limited flow rate which may not make them the best option for larger households.

Hybrid Electric Heaters

Hybrid electric heaters are conventional water heaters that are paired with a heat pump - which is used to heat the water in the tank. These units are two to three times more energy efficient in comparison to a conventional storage tank heater and cost less to operate. The ability to install one of these water heaters depends on the geographic location of your home and the space where it would be installed.

Indirect Water Heater

Indirect water heaters are, in essence, well-insulated storage tanks that hold a coiled heat exchanger. The indirect tank does not produce its own heat; instead, it relies on the boiler. In a typical arrangement, a closed-loop water pipe connects the boiler to the indirect water heater, feeding heated water to it. Though the boiler-fired water never mixes with the water in the storage tank, it circulates through the coils in the heat exchanger, which in turn heat the water for household use. Essentially, the boiler does all the work, while the indirect water heater facilitates the transfer of heat.

Choosing A Water Heater

Water heaters are sold based on how many gallons they hold. But more importantly, you want to look at the “first-hour rating” for storage-tank water heaters and “gallons-per-minute” rating for tankless. These numbers will give you a better idea of how much hot water you will get within a set amount of time.

Hybrid electric heaters are conventional water heaters that are paired with a heat pump - which is used to heat the water in the tank. These units are two to three times more energy efficient in comparison to a conventional storage tank heater and cost less to operate. The ability to install one of these water heaters depends on the geographic location of your home and the space where it would be installed.