What are the 3 Main Types of Water Heaters and How are they Different?

Choosing the right water heater for your home can come down to a number of factors. Maybe you are looking to be more environmentally friendly, maybe you want to use less energy, or possibly you want the least expensive option because you are working on a budget.

Here is a breakdown of the three main types of water heaters and how they are different.

The Conventional Water Heater

The conventional water heater has been the mainstay in this industry for decades. A large metal tank holds several dozen gallons of water, keeping it at the desired temperature day and not until needed. This system allows you to have hot water for washing or bathing immediately.

The one drawback to this system is because the water needs to be heated continuously, your utility bills can be high. On the flip side, because these systems are fairly simple, they tend to be rather inexpensive, regardless of the water capa

city. They tend to have a lifespan on average of seven to tens years, depending of course on the make, model, and temperature setting.

The Tankless Water Heater

Having been popular in the UK for decades, the tankless water heater is just now gaining popularity in the United States. This system requires no large tank to store and heat water continuously. The unique heating element is very small, easily mounted under a sink, in a garage, or the laundry room, and heaths water instantly.

The high temperature mechanism only heats water when it is needed. While this will save you a tremendous amount of money each year in utility bills, the installation and cost of the unit can be rather expensive. However, the cost will pay for itself in a few years from lower energy consumption.

The Solar Water Heater

The solar water heaters get their power from the sun, and similar to setting up solar panels to heat your pool or run your appliances, uses no energy from your local utility company. The cost can be more than the other options, but once it is up and running, your only cost is to maintain the system.

The solar panels in a sense

heat the water, then store it in a collection tank, similar to that of the conventional water heater. Then when you need hot water, it is ready to go as the collection tank fills up again.

Don’t let a bad water heater ruin your day. Call Water Heater Medic at (860) 896-3342 for greener HVAC services in the Vernon area!