Types of Water Heaters

Water heaters aren’t one of those things most people go out and buy very often. It’s for this reason that when something happens to a water heater, the first thing that registers in a homeowner’s mind is an almost total loss. After all, isn’t knowing a water heater’s purpose is to heat water enough? Well, yes and no.

For general purposes, understanding that a water heater is for heating water is good enough. There come certain times, however, when knowing a bit more can be useful. Filling that need is the purpose of this article. Pay attention to the specifics of this article, and you will come out ahead of a vast majority of homeowners.

Different Types, Different Benefits

There are different types of water heaters available. These include solar water heaters, on-demand water heaters, gas water heaters, conventional water heaters, tankless systems, and more.

The first, and perhaps the most critical obstacle to be overcome in knowing about water heaters is to determine each type’s advantages and disadvantages, and which is best for a given home. Anyone who is not aware of these options and which is best for them should read on.

The Five Primary Models of Water Heaters

Water heaters available on the market today can be broken down into five main types. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks. What follows is a little information about each type to help homeowners choose which is best for them. Still, need help? Water heater services in Nashville, TN are plentiful.

Conventional Tank Water Heater

The first of the Types of water heaters is the conventional storage-tank water heater. This type is not only the most common and popular, but it is also the one most people are familiar with.

A conventional tank water heater holds all the water to be heated at a given time. This, of course, limits the amount of hot water ready at a given time. This type of water heater is usually insulated with a fiberglass blanket to help keep the water hot until it is used.

The amount of maintenance required for this type of water heater is usually minimal and concentrates on increasing the tank’s lifespan. This maintenance is generally limited to draining the tank about twice a year to remove sentiment and mineral scale, which reduces corrosion. Water heater installations are usually pretty easy for a qualified person, and these types of tanks are very affordable.

Tankless (On-Demand) Water Heater

Tankless water heaters, as might be assumed, have no tank. This type fills and heats water as it is used. This type of water heater heats water very quickly, which is useful when a large family uses it. This makes it necessary to buy a tankless water heater most appropriate for the family’s size being served. If, for example, a small tankless water heater is used for a large family, there will never seem to be enough hot water.

Despite there being no tank in this type of water heater, it should still be drained about twice a year to prolong its lifespan. A tankless water heater is very energy-efficient and, as a result, cost-efficient.

Solar-Powered Water Heater

The primary advantage of a solar-powered water heater is, of course, it is solar-powered, making it the most energy-efficient type available. Buying a solar-powered water heater is a good idea, especially if you are considering installing solar panels on your home since this is where it derives its power to operate. Anyone who lives in an area where there is a lot of sun would be wise to invest in this type of water heater. The only drawback to a solar water heater is it requires backup systems such as electricity or gas for use on cloudy days.

Just as is the case with other types of water heaters, a solar-type water heater must be cleaned periodically to maximize its lifespan. It is also important to consider cleaning the solar panels occasionally to improve efficiency.

Condensing Water Heater

A condensing water heater operates on the unspent gas fumes from your home to heat water. This makes it the best hot water option for homeowners with natural gas as their primary energy source. To operate, a condensing water heater uses gas fumes funneled through a coil located at the tank’s base to heat water. As a result, there is little energy used to operate the water heater since it was already burned elsewhere.

Just as is the case with other types, a condensing water heater needs to have its tank cleaned periodically. It also requires that its gas import valves be cleaned about once a year. One of the only drawbacks of this type of water heater is it is not readily available in smaller models. As a result, it is best suited for people who need 55 gallons or more water capacity.