Are you looking to replace your water heater? There are a lot of different options out there for you and not every water heater is going to fit you and your family’s needs. Before you make a decision, take a look at our outline of the different residential water heater options.
Conventional Water Heaters
There are a few different types of water heaters, the two major categories being: conventional and tankless.
A conventional water heater is powered by electricity, natural gas, propane, or in some cases, oil. These heaters have a large tank that heats water with a coil at the bottom of the tank and then stores the heated water. When you turn on a tap or have a shower, water is pulled from the top of the tank of water and cold water fills the bottom and is heated. These tanks usually hold between 40 to 50 gallons of water.
This method of heating water means that you can on occasion run out of hot water while the tank is refilling and heating water to replace the water that has been used.
These water heaters are not as energy-efficient because heat is lost from the tank and through the pipes as the water travels to you. To keep your home’s water hot, a conventional water heater is using energy even while water isn’t in use.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are also referred to as instantaneous or on-demand water heaters because of the way they heat the water. With a tankless water heater, when you turn on the tap, water is called into the tank and heated with a coil then travellers through the pipes to you. This method of only heating water that is being used means that you never run out of hot water. Major perk!
A tankless water heater is more environmentally friendly because heat is not lost while waiting to be used and therefore energy is only used while the water is on and being used. The cost of a tankless water heater and its installation is much higher than a conventional water heater but because of the way it heats water, you end up saving money on your energy bill.
All in all, a tankless water heater is more budget and environmentally friendly in the long run and if you have a large family, the idea of hot water on demand can be very appealing. However, if you’re in a pinch and have a smaller home/family a conventional water heater may be all you need! For more information and a consultation, contact Wellbrook. We can help you figure out what kind of water heater is best suited for you and your family.