Every home needs a water heater. What you may not know, however, is that there are several different types of models to choose from. Each kind has its own differences, and you must consider these when choosing the best residential water heater for your home.
Residential Water Heater Types
Residential water heaters can be broken down into several broad categories. These include:
- Storage Tank Water Heaters
- Tankless water heaters
- Heat pump water heaters
- Solar water heaters
- Indirect water heaters
Storage Tank Water Heaters
This type of water heater is the most common in homes across the country because it’s the most affordable. This option uses a reservoir or storage tank to provide hot water for average daily use. The requirements may be pushed to the limit if many people use hot water at the same time, such as when there are guests in the home.
Tankless Water Heaters
Unlike traditional water heaters that store hot water, tankless models heat water on demand. This means you’ll never run out of hot water, even during peak usage times. Tankless water heaters are incredibly efficient because they only heat water when it’s needed. This will cut down on energy costs.
Heat Pump Water Heater
This kind of water heater uses a heat pump to heat water through the use of electricity. Thus, electricity moves heat from one place to another. It can do this without heating the water directly. The heat pump does this by drawing heat from the air. As such, this is a very energy-efficient system.
Solar Water Heaters
As can be expected by the name, this system uses the rays of the sun to heat the water for your home. Heat is collected through a solar panel collector and then used to heat the water stored in a storage tank. It’s a very eco-friendly option since it does not rely on things like fossil fuels or electricity to heat your water.
Indirect Water Heaters
With this option, fluid is heated by a boiler or furnace. This fluid is then moved through a heat-exchanger inside the storage tank to heat the water. This can be one of the most efficient and least expensive options for many homeowners.
If you find it difficult to make a water heater choice, consult with a professional plumber to help you choose a model that will best fit the needs of your household. If you’re having trouble with your current unit, contact Lesco Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Caldwell, NJ for repair or replacement of your water heater today.