Types of Water Heaters

Traditional Water Heater

Traditional, or conventional water heaters are a commonly used type of water heater. Typically, these hold up to 80 gallons of water. Conventional water heaters collect, store, and reserve hot water in a tank for when you are ready to use it. These water heaters keep the water hot with a continual heat source. When hot water leaves the tank, cold water enters at the bottom and the cycle continues. While the continual heat source gets you the hot water you need, it can waste energy through standby heat losses.

Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater works by directly heating water on demand as opposed to a conventional water heater, which collects and stores your water and uses a continual heating source to keep the water hot. Tankless water heaters provide all the water you need, for as long as you need it. Plus, its compact size saves space. It is eco-friendly, long lasting, reliable, safe, and clean.

Additionally, there are substantial energy savings over the life of the system, as much as 20% off your water heating bill. Unlike traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters avoid standby heat losses.According to the Energy.gov website, tankless water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.

Heat Pump Water Heaters

These type of water heaters are fueled by an electric source. The work by taking heat from your home, increasing the temperature, and transferring it into the tank. Heat pump water heaters can be up to three times more efficient than a traditional water heater with an electric fuel type. While their price tag is initially large, these water heaters can provide big savings on your electric bills.

Water Heater Sources

Natural Gas

Natural gas water heaters use natural gas from the line and a burner beneath the tank to heat the water you need. Natural gas is a popular choice, as you never have to worry about running out of the fuel as it comes straight from the line. This fuel type is compatible with traditional and tankless water heaters. They cost slightly more to purchase, but use less energy and have a lower operating cost than electric models. Designed for rapid recovery, gas heaters recover about four to five times faster than an electric mode, bringing you hot water faster.

Propane

Propane fuel sources are commonly used when natural gas isn’t an option for a home. They can be used with traditional and tankless water heaters. The hot water is supplied through a burner that burns the propane from a tank in your yard. Unlike natural gas, you do not have an endless supply of fuel. Eventually, your propane tank will run out and will need refilled. While their initial cost is high, propane water heaters have a slightly higher efficiency and a lower operating cost than electric water heaters.

Electric

Electric water heaters supply heat through coils that heat up the water. They fuel traditional, tankless, and heat pump water heaters. If you’re going to buy an electric water heater, we recommend looking for one with an Energy Factor equal to .93 or greater. This represents a 5 to 10 percent savings compared to a standard efficiency electric water heater. This higher efficiency is achieved by better tank insulation to reduce standby losses, and a device to block cooler water from adjacent water pipes from sinking into the tank where it needs to be reheated. The savings pay for the slightly higher costs of these heaters within a year or two.

Oil

Oil is typically used as a fuel type when a home doesn’t have access to a natural gas or propane source. Oil is compatible for traditional and tankless water heaters. Oil water heaters can be classified as indirect-fired or direct-fired water heaters. Indirect-fired water heaters heat water using a boiler. Direct-fired water heaters have a burner and ignite a mix of oil and air to heat the water

Oil water heaters last long, have a high efficiency, and are great for families that use a lot of hot water. Like gas water heaters, oil water heaters recover quickly—which means you get the hot water you need fast. With this fuel type, water heaters tend to have a higher efficiency and lower operating cost. However, they need regular maintenance to run properly.

Solar

Solar water heaters are pricey, but with up to 80% savings in operating costs, they pay back what you invest. Solar collectors, or systems that take sunlight and transfer it for another use, work to heat your home’s water. This is done through either active or passive solar water heaters.

Active solar water heaters can be categorized as direct or indirect systems. Direct systems are used in areas where freezing temperatures are not a concern. They heat water right within the collectors on your roof. Indirect systems can withstand freezing temperatures and use sunlight to heat a transfer fluid that is used to heat your water tank.

Passive solar water heaters can be either integral collector-storage or thermosyphon systems. Both can be very heavy and need a sturdy roof to support their weight. Integral systems heat water that sits in a black water tank collector. Thermosyphon systems heat water in small sections through a flat plate collector and hold up to 40 gallons of water.

If you’re interested in getting a new water heater, Commercial Service is happy to help you find the right water heater for your home. Schedule an appointment with our easy Online Scheduling or give us a call at 812-339-9114.