Not all water heaters are built the same, and not every heater is a good fit for every household.
When selecting a water heater, there are a lot of options to choose from. So it’s to consider how many people will be using hot water at once, how much hot water your household uses, which fuel types are supported in your area, what the initial cost of a system is, and if that number is justified by its energy cost over time.
There are essentially three common types of water heaters:
Conventional storage water heaters are the most common heating systems in the US. They offer a reservoir of ready-to-use hot water, typically ranging from 20 to 80 gallons. When you turn on the tap, hot water is released from the top of the tank, and cold water is replaced. The water then enters the bottom tube, where it’s heated, ensuring that the tank always has a full supply of hot water.
Conventional storage water heaters can run off natural gas, propane, oil, and electricity.
Tankless water heaters (also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters) provide hot water as needed. When a hot water faucet is turned on, cold water flows through a heat exchanger and is heated by a natural gas burner or an electric heater. As a result, tankless water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water, meaning you don’t need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with hot water—it’s ready when you are!
According to Energy.gov, “for homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.” And while the initial cost of a tankless water heater is greater than a conventional storage water heater, tankless heaters will typically last longer and lower energy costs..
Heat pump water heaters move heat from one place to another instead of generating it directly. To do that it works like a refrigerator in reverse. While a refrigerator pulls heat from inside a box and sends it into the surrounding room, a heat pump water heater pulls heat from the surrounding air and transfers it to heat water in a storage tank.
When considering what type of water heater is best for your household, it’s important to consider the type of fuel it runs on. Not every fuel type is compatible with every home, and your water usage will determine which is the most cost-effective for you.
Conventional storage and heat pumps are both common types of electric water heaters, but tankless is by far the most popular.
Tankless water heaters don’t have storage tanks and instead heat water with coils as you use it, making them incredibly space efficient. This type of heater typically produces 3.5 gallons of hot water per minute and is more energy-efficient than oil or natural gas water heaters.
Unfortunately, electric tankless models may require an upgrade to your home’s electrical capacity.
Oil can be used to fuel conventional storage water heaters. This type of heater is available in some parts of the US but is not common.
This type of heater is available to homes that already have a geothermal heat pump system installed in their homes for space heating and cooling.
Fuels conventional storage and demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters, as well as tankless coil and indirect water heaters.
For single-person homes, tankless is undoubtedly the way to go! The money you save by eliminating standby energy costs will help offset the initial cost of the heater over the long run.
For couples, tankless electric water heaters are still a great option since they can be sized to provide a constant flow of hot water for different demand outputs — meaning that the size can be scaled up or down to meet your needs.
Unfortunately, tankless water heaters can’t always supply enough hot water for multiple, simultaneous uses in large households. For example, taking a shower and running the dishwasher at the same time can push a tankless heater to its limit. This is why they’re typically recommended for smaller households.
While the upfront cost may seem high, most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of more than 20 years. They also have easily replaceable parts that may extend their life by many more years. Compare this to storage water heaters, which last 10–15 years on average. This makes them a great choice if you intend to live in your home for multiple decades.
While conventional storage tank water heaters typically have higher energy rates due to standby heat losses, they’re better suited for multiple, simultaneous uses, which is why they remain the most common type of heater in the US.
If you want to enjoy the energy-saving benefits of a tankless water heater without risking the possibility of a cold shower, you can simply install two tankless heaters to better accommodate the needs of a large family. While the savings may not be as drastic, tankless heaters can still be 8–14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water (around 86 gallons per day).
If you still have questions concerning water heater types, contact Pomona Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning at (909) 764-3214, and we will assist you in making the right choice the first time!
Walnut, CA 91789 | (714) 582-0173
