Do you have an old water heater that you need to replace? Water heater technology has come a long way in recent years, resulting in you now having a wide variety of options to choose from. Knowing which one of the various options is the right choice isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you understand the different options and the pros and cons of each type of water heater.
An Overview of the Different Water Heater Options
Many people think that there isn’t all that much difference between water heaters, but this couldn’t be more wrong. The first thing that likely comes to mind when you think of a water heater is a traditional tank unit, but this is far from your only option. There is also quite a bit of difference between gas and electric tank units in terms of energy efficiency, operating cost, heating time, etc.
Tankless water heaters have quickly grown in popularity in part because they are much smaller and take up less space than tank water heaters and also because they work more efficiently. Tankless water heaters are unique in that they provide a steady, readily available supply of hot water without actually storing the hot water like all other types of water heaters do. How it works is that cold water enters the unit and flows through pipes that surround the gas heat exchanger or are surrounded by electric heating elements. As the water flows through the unit, it quickly absorbs enough heat so that it reaches the desired temperature before flowing out on its way to the faucet, shower, etc.
Electric heat pump water heaters are another option that has recently started to grow in popularity. This type of unit is also unique in that it doesn’t just convert gas or electricity into heat like standard tank and tankless water heaters do. Instead, it works more like an air conditioner by removing heat from the surrounding air and then transferring the heat to the water inside its tank. The unit’s fan draws in warm air and blows it over an evaporator coil filled with cold liquid refrigerant. As the refrigerant moves through the coil, it quickly absorbs enough heat that it gets fairly hot. The unit’s compressor then pumps the refrigerant through an expansion valve, which results in the refrigerant instantly becoming extremely hot. The last step is for the refrigerant to get pumped through a series of coils inside the hot water tank, which results in all of the heat getting released into the surrounding water so that it heats up.
Pros and Cons of Tank Water Heaters
The main advantage of tank water heaters is the price as they are the least expensive of all of the options. An electric tank unit will almost always cost the least to install, but it will also cost the most in terms of energy. Gas tank units heat more quickly and use less energy, but they also have the shortest life expectancy. In terms of life expectancy, most gas units last for eight to 12 years whereas electric units typically last for 12 to 15 years. Another drawback to tank units is that it’s fairly easy to use up all of the stored hot water. When this happens, you’ll usually need to wait for anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours before your water is again fully hot.
Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
Two of the main advantages of tankless water heaters are that they’re highly efficient and you’ll never have to worry about your hot water running out. They also have the longest lifespan of any water heater and will usually last a minimum of 20 years. The primary downside is that you’ll have a longer lag time, which means you have to wait longer before the water flowing out of a faucet or shower gets fully hot. The lag time is typically around 20 seconds, but it can sometimes be up to a minute or two during the winter or when using hot water at a fixture much further away from the water heater.
Pros and Cons of Heat Pump Water Heaters
As long as a heat pump water heater is installed in an area that never gets too cold, it will almost always be the most energy-efficient option. That said, most heat pump water heaters are hybrid units that also have electric heating elements just like a standard electric tank unit. If these elements need to run all that much, your hot water energy costs will be higher than with a tankless water heater. The primary drawbacks are that heat pump water heaters can be fairly costly and typically only last for 15 years at the very most. The unit’s tank also slowly corrodes over time and can have the same issues with leaking or rupturing as standard tank units do.
At the end of the day, making the right choice mostly comes down to your specific priorities, your household’s hot water needs and how much you’re willing to spend. If you’re still unsure of which water heater is the best choice, the team at Best Plumber is ready to advise and assist you in making your decision. We offer an extensive range of different models and types of water heaters and will ensure you get the right unit and it’s installed correctly. Contact us today to learn more about your water heater installation options or if you need any other plumbing service.
