Understanding Water Heater Differences
A water heater’s job is pretty simple – heat cold water to a desired temperature so you can shower, bathe, and do the various other activities you rely on warm or hot water for.
But what happens when your water heater can no longer keep up with your household’s demands, or worse, fails to produce any hot water at all? In an effort to get hot water flowing ASAP, you might be tempted to purchase an newer version of what you currently have – but that’s not always the best move.
Read on to learn about the various water heater options available today and how to select the best one for your family’s needs.
Conventional Gas
A conventional gas water heater burns natural gas or propane. It features a cylindrical glass-lined metal tank with a gas burner placed underneath. It heats the water in the tank while an exhaust system vents combustion gases to the outdoors – much like a kitchen stove. Gas heaters feature an automatic ignition system operated either by a standing pilot light or electricity.
Conventional Electric
An electric water heater also features a cylindrical glass-lined tank, however, the water in the tank is heated by two resistive heating elements that go through the side of the tank. When the thermostat calls for heat, these elements glow red-hot, consuming approximately 4,000 watts of electricity. Because the tank is well-insulated, the heating elements don’t need to stay on for too long. Unlike conventional gas, electric water heaters do not produce any emissions.
Hybrid
Hybrid water heaters employ a heat pump along with a refrigeration system. This system is used in conjunction with backup resistive heating elements, but consumes far less electricity than a traditional electric model. In fact, it’s less expensive to operate than a conventional gas model, delivering energy savings of $400 or more per year. Hybrid water heaters are taller than conventional tank-style water heaters, requiring a minimum air space of about 1,000 cubit feet. This may limit where they can be installed.
On-Demand
Also known as tankless water heaters, on-demand units switch on only when a faucet or fixture calls for hot water and shut off as soon as that faucet or fixture is closed. This means no continuous re-heating of water whether you need it or not. In a home with normal water pressure, a properly sized on-demand unit will deliver better energy-efficiency than a tank-style water heater. However, it may not be ideal solution for a home with low or fluctuating water pressure because the unit’s sensors won’t switch it on unless a specific water flow rate is detected.
Choosing the Right Size
If choosing for a tank-style water heater, you’ll first need to determine the ideal tank size to meet your family’s hot water needs.
- One to two people – 30 to 40 gallons
- Two to three people – 40 to 50 gallons
- Three to four people – 50 to 60 gallons
- Five or more people – 60 to 80 gallons
But household size isn’t the only factor. The average temperature of the groundwater, the number of hot water-using appliances, fixtures, and faucets, and how many are typically used at once should also be considered when choosing a tank style model.
Is your water heater giving you problems? At Best Choice, we install, maintain, and repair all makes and models of residential hot water systems to your complete satisfaction. Contact us today for a free in-home evaluation of your household’s hot water needs and a new system quote.