4 Water Heater Types You Should Consider for Your Home

Choosing an efficient water heater will help you provide plenty of hot water for your Sarasota, Florida, a home without wasting energy. A new water heater can even pay for itself over time through energy savings. Before you decide on a water heater, make sure to consider the size, the fuel source, and the initial cost of the different water heater types. There are many water heater types available, including storage, tankless, heat pump, and condensing models.

Storage Water Heaters

Storage water heaters use insulated storage tanks to hold heated water. They’re powered by natural gas, electricity, or propane. The water always stays heated, so you won’t have to wait for hot water. However, you’ll need to use electricity or fuel to keep the water hot constantly. A thermostat inside the tank turns on the heating element when the water drops below the temperature you choose.

Natural gas or propane heaters are usually less expensive to use than electric models of the same size. No matter which water heater variety you choose, make sure you consider its energy efficiency and its yearly operating costs.

Tankless or On-Demand Models

Tankless water heaters, also called instantaneous or on-demand units, only work while you’re using your hot water. That way, they can help you save energy. Instead of storing hot water, tankless water heaters send water through a series of coils inside the unit to warm it. Since they don’t have storage tanks, they’re usually smaller than storage water heaters. That means you can use the extra space to store supplies like your vacuum cleaner or some extra batteries. You also won’t have to worry about a leak that could damage your home.

Like storage water heaters, tankless models are available in natural gas, propane, or electric varieties. Tankless units can only provide a limited amount of hot water per minute, so they’re best for smaller homes. If you have a large family, you may need two tankless water heaters to meet their needs.

Heat Pump or Hybrid Water Heaters

A hybrid or heat pump water heater uses a storage tank like other storage water heaters, but it has a small heat pump on the top of the tank. Instead of producing heat, it uses refrigerant to transfer heat from the air in your home to the water in the tank. With the warm climate here in Florida, a water heater with a heat pump is more efficient than many other types. These water heaters are called hybrids because they can use conventional electric heating in very cold weather.

Having a heat pump takes up more space than a conventional storage water heater. You may need a place with tall ceilings where you can store it. You’ll also need an unconditioned area near the heat pump so that it can absorb heat from the air. Heat pump water heaters work a lot like more traditional models, but you should also change their air filters at least once every few months.

Condensing Water Heaters

Condensing natural gas water heaters are available with or without tanks. Most gas heaters send hot exhaust gases out your home’s flue, wasting energy. A condensing water heater blows those gases through a coil near the bottom instead. Then, the coil heats the cold water that flows around it.

These water heaters are more expensive than many other options, but they’re more efficient. They’re ideal for large families who need lots of hot water fast. You won’t have to worry about getting in the shower first to make sure the water is still hot. A condensing natural gas water heater can heat your water almost as fast as it can come through your home’s pipes.

Arctic Air Services, Inc. has decades of plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical experience. We can help you with choosing between the various water heater types, installing, repairing, and maintaining your next water heater. We’re eager to build long-term relationships, give you quality advice, and provide you with 100 percent satisfaction. We also offer a variety of specials to help you save money and energy.

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