Three Main Types of Water Heaters
1. Tankless water heaters
Tankless water heaters seem to be all the rage these days. Tankless water heaters have an electric, gas, or propane heating device that is touched off by the current of water. Once triggered, the heater renders a perpetual supply of hot water. The optimal rate of flow at a desirable temperature will be influenced by the capacitance of the heater. Gas tankless water heaters generally have greater capacities than electric tankless water heaters.
Conventional gas storage tank water heaters generate standby energy losses that cost you money. A tankless water heater is employed only when there’s a demand for hot water, which is good for your wallet and for the environment. Many tankless hot-water heaters have a lifespan of more than twenty years. They also have easily replaceable components that expand their life by many additional years, making them a wonderful choice for your home water heating requirements.
They can be mounted on walls, and are perfect in mobile home* where space may be confined. Tankless heaters perform on either electricity or gas, just as regular heaters. Their costs begin at about $300 for electric and $600 for gas.
Tankless Water heaters are also called on-demand water heaters. These supply hot water right where you require it, when you need it, without a storage tank. Using electricity, gas, or propane as a heating generator, tankless water heaters, in some cases, can slice your water-heating bill by 10 to 20 percent. The savings are derived by wiping out standby losses – energy wasted by warmed water lying unused in a tank.
Though tankless water heaters can save money on your energy bill, many reviews say they aren’t for everybody. Even owners who are pleased with their tankless water heaters acknowledge they take some getting used to. Because tankless systems do not begin heating water till you turn on the tap, there is a delay of at nearly a gallon before the tap runs hot — and that time lag occurs each time you turn on a faucet, even if you have just used it. Of course, you could reclaim that first gallon of cold water for other uses — like plant watering — but a lot owners say it’s discomforting to watch that water run down the sink waiting for the hot water to flow.
Another disadvantage is that tankless water heaters typically heat a good deal less water than tank heaters. So if you have a large family or frequent guests over all using hot water at the same time, then a tankless water heater may not be the best answer.
2. Conventional Gas water heaters
These water heaters are very reliable and ready when you need them. Natural gas water heaters recuperate up to 40 percent quicker than electric models. Gas water heaters have higher efficiency ratings than electric water heaters of the equivalent storage capacity. So, it may be conceivable to meet your water-heating demands with a gas unit that has a smaller storage tank than an electric unit with the same rating. Gas water heaters shouldn’t be insulated atop or within about 8 inches of the bottom of the tank.
Except for some reasonably new but minor gains in the area of insulation and energy efficiency, conventional gas water heaters have remained almost unaltered over the years. These water heaters can waste water as they have to reheat water in the tank as it cools down.
3. Electric Water Heaters
Electric prices dropped in the ’50s, making electric water heaters more appealing. Installation and initial cost was also cheaper than solar hot water heaters.
As previously noted, electric hot water heaters are also slow to recover when compared with gas water heaters. Nevertheless upkeep of the electric water heater is easier as it involves very little maintenance. Electric Tankless Water Heaters are really small in size and therefore can be installed just about anywhere, even beneath a sink! The cost ranges between $700 – $800 and increases in cost as size increases. Electric tankless water heaters drag a lot of power and will call for multiple electric circuit* and/or heavier cable, which increases installation prices.
So as you can surmise, each type of water heater has pros and cons, with the tankless water heater gaining in acceptance and popularity.
