Different Types Of Residential Water Heaters For Homeowners

When you buy a new home or it's time to replace your current water heater, you have options. The water heater you choose will impact your utility bills as well as the effectiveness of your hot water system. Learn more about the different types of residential water heaters available to homeowners. 

Gas Water Heater 

Gas water heaters use natural gas or propane to power the unit using a gas burner. Gas water heaters tend to be the most powerful, meaning they heat water quickly. There are also numerous safety features on gas water heaters to keep your household safe while using flammable fuel. However, they also have the lowest efficiency ratings. Still, you can find Energy Star gas water heaters that are more competitive in an eco-conscious housing market. 

Since gas water heaters emit toxic gases, they require ventilation. Gas water heaters can be inexpensive to install as long as you choose an option that fits into your home's current ventilation system. Otherwise, you will have to pay to have additional ventilation installed.

Electric Water Heater

Electric water heaters run on electricity, which is a significantly more energy-efficient fuel than gas. Electric water heaters also have fewer components, heating water with heating elements instead of a complex gas burner assembly, meaning that they require fewer repairs. However, electricity costs more than gas, even if the units themselves are more efficient. Furthermore, if the power goes out, so will the hot water. On the positive side, electric water heaters do not require ventilation.

Heat Pump Water Heater

A heat pump water heater doesn't create heat but rather absorbs the heat in its environment and moves it to the appropriate location, making them the most energy-efficient option. However, they also take a long time to heat water. Plus, they may struggle to absorb heat in the winter months. Homeowners in cold climates should consider hybrid models that switch to electricity when the heat pump operation isn't cutting it.

Tankless Water Heater 

Tankless water heaters produce water on demand instead of storing hot water in a tank, which inevitably leads to standby heat loss. Tankless water heaters run on both electricity and gas, but gas is much more common in whole-home situations. With tankless water heaters, you never need to worry about running out of hot water, but you may need to add multiple units to your hot water system in order to meet your home's hot water demand, which can require a significant upfront investment.

Contact a supplier to learn more about water heaters. 

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