How To Judge Residential Water Heater Systems
Posted on: 17 March 2023
Water heater systems are present in the vast majority of American homes. Whether you are building a new house or have an existing one, there's a good chance you need to replace the water heater at some point. Homeowners need to know how to judge residential water heater systems before they buy. You should look at these five features.
Type
There are numerous kinds of residential hot water heater systems. The two dominant styles, though, are tank-based and tankless. A tank-based system stores many gallons of preheated water, allowing you instant access to enough to handle several tasks like doing dishes and laundry at the same time. Tankless models don't store the water and instead provide on-demand heating. Generally, tankless systems are more energy efficient, but they also tend to be more expensive.
Fuel Source
Most hot water heater systems either use natural gas or electricity. The choice of fuel source will depend a lot on what's available and cost-effective where you live. Energy prices vary from region to region, and some places don't have natural gas lines.
Oil and propane are also options. However, these tend to be niche use cases. For example, someone might use propane if they live off-grid. Some folks also use oil or propane if they live in places without natural gas.
Capacity
The capacity of the system is important. Once you use up the available water, the unit has to heat more water. Especially with tank-based systems, this can take a couple of hours. Purchasing a larger-capacity tank will provide more water. If you have a large household that uses lots of hot water simultaneously, this can keep you from running out.
With tankless water heater systems, throughput largely replaces capacity. The system never has more capacity than the amount of water it can heat at a given time.
Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Particularly in regions that experience cold winters or even cold nights, insulation is important. This is especially true if you have a tank-based setup. Insulation around the tank can reduce heat loss and save on your energy bills.
You should check your utility rates to determine how to balance energy efficiency against upfront costs. In places with high rates, a more energy-efficient system could save you money in the long run.
Easy of Installation and Maintenance
Some residential water heater systems are better for specific homes than others. If you don't have a lot of space, a smaller tankless model might be better. Conversely, someone with a house that has a big basement might elect to install a large tank.
Contact a professional to learn more about residential water heater systems.
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