What exactly is an Electric Water Heater?

Is an Electric Water Heater right for you?

South Windsor Hot Water Heater

Water heaters can heat water in many different ways. Many water heaters use natural gas to heat water. Some older type of homes have oil boilers that heat water as well as heat the home. One of the newest types of water heaters use electricity to heat the water. These water heaters come in two major different types.

The first type of water heat uses electric heating elements to heat water in a insulated container. This type of electric water heater can keep water hot in any type of weather, but depending on the demands of the house and the size of the water heater it may not be capable of providing enough water for the house. Another type of electric water heater of this type is known as an instant water heater. It does not have a container for the hot water, but instead provides instant hot water to one location. These can be cheaper to operate, but can not get hot water to more than one location in a house at a time. Electricity can sometimes be more expensive than natural gas to keep hot water depending on the kilowatt per hour rate in your area. Some of the newer electric water heaters have become more energy efficient by learning the hot water habits of the individuals living in the home and not keeping the water quite as hot in period with minimal hot water use.

The second type of hot water heater is a heat pump water heater. This works on the same technology as a heat pump for a house. It is much less costly than a electric water heater to operate. The main draw back to this type of water heater is that in extremely cold climates it has to fall back on standard electric element heating. In mild climates that do not get that cold it is probably the most efficient way to heat a house.

Are you looking to replace your old water heater with a new electric model? Call us at (860) 896-3342 and get started today!


What kind of water heater is best for me?

Two Things to Consider Before Installing a New Water Heater

South Windsor Water Heater

Installing a new water heater can save you a significant amount of money. Newer models tend to be significantly more efficient than older models. This means that the old model you are using may be costing you more money than it would cost to replace it with a newer one. Installing a new water heater is an important decision and it should be thought through carefully. It is important you consider all of your options and make sure that you are getting the best deal. There are two things that you should consider as you look to purchase a new water heater.

The first thing to consider is what type of water heater you want to install in your house. If you live in a cold climate and you have gas lines running to your house your best option may be a gas water heater. This type of water heater may be one of the best methods for keeping your water hot all winter long. If you do not have gas lines running into your house and no natural gas tank either than you will want to look into electric water heaters. Their are two main types of water heaters that are electric. The first uses heat pump technology and the second uses heating elements. The heat pump water heaters tend to be expensive but cost less to operate. The second may be a bit more expensive to operate but are rather inexpensive to purchase.

The second thing to consider is the size of the tank. There also is an option of using a tankless water heater which may be a good option for some people with limited water needs. The size of the tank and the speed at which the water heater is able to heat new water coming into the tank will affect how much hot water you have at your disposal. Many people find that they purchased a water heater that does not meet their needs. It is important to make sure that you get a water heater that heats water at a fast enough rate to meet your needs.

Do you need to get a new water heater for your South Windsor home? Call The Water Heater Medic at (860) 896-3342 and get started today!


How can I lower my electric bill?

Benefits of Having a Tankless Water Heater in Your Home

South Windsor Tankless Water Heater

Are you fed up with after a hard day of doing the laundry, washing the dishes, and giving the dogs a bath, there's no hot water left for you to take a relaxing shower? One benefit of a tankless water heater is that it heats the water as you need it, so there's no hot water storage limit like there is with a traditional water heater.

Tankless Water Heaters: A tankless water system uses a powerful heat exchanger to make water steaming hot when you need it. The heat exchanger transfers heat from one source to another, such as from an electric coil or gas burner, to your water. There are two types of tankless water systems; point of use and whole house. Point of use heats water in one of two outlets, while whole house systems heat outlets throughout the entire house. Tankless water heaters come in electric, natural gas, or propane models.

There are many benefits of having a tankless water heater, for example:

Energy and Cost Savings: Since tankless heaters heat water only when you need it, unlike traditional water heaters that use heat all day long, you will consume less hot water, which can save you up to 20 percent on your energy bill. And, most tankless water heaters come with a $300 dollar federal tax rebate.

Space Saving: Tankless water heaters are significantly smaller than traditional water heaters, which frees up extra space. Tankless water heaters are compact enough to be mounted inside cabinets, in closets, and to just about any interior or exterior wall.

Reliability: A tankless water heater means fresh, hot water when you need it. Tankless heaters lasts up to 10 years longer than traditional water heaters, so you'll have peace of mind knowing you'll have a reliable hot water source for years to come.

Safe, Clean Water: Traditional water tanks, mean water is stored in the tank all day, which can lead to built up rust and scale in your water. With a tankless water heater, you can rest assure that your water is safe and clean.

Are you looking to get a new tankless water heater for your South Windsor home? Call The Water Heater Medic at (860) 896-3342 and get started today!


Is An Oil Fired Water Heater Right For Me?

What Is An Oil Fired Water Heater?

 South Windsor Hot Water Heater

A standard oil-fired water heater is an option for a homeowner who want an energy-efficient unit. The investment in an oil-fired water heater will lead to lower utility bills each year and other benefits. One thing to keep in mind is this type of unit costs more upfront, but will have a lower operating cost over the life of the unit. Oil-fired water heaters are direct-fired or indirect-fired.

One of the main benefits of oil-fired water heaters is a high recovery rate. Water heaters that have a high recovery rate can heat a large amount of water quickly. The rate of recovery for water heaters is the amount of water a water heater can heat to 100 degrees in about 60 minutes. Oil-fired water heaters can have a rate of recovery that is up to 120 gallons of water per hour. This means the unit can heat approximately 120 gallons of water in one hours time.

Direct-fired water heaters are one type of unit that can be used in a residential home. This is a type of water heater that heats water using an oil flame. A direct-fired water heater is a common unit that is found in a residential home with a warm air furnace. There is a combustion chamber that is under the water storage tank where the oil is being burned. Residential homes with large families have the biggest benefit from this type of unit as it will never run out of hot water. One thing to keep in mind is a separate burned is needed which can increase energy usage.

Indirect-fired water heaters have a boiler that is used to heat the water. These units can also come in a tankless option that also require a type of boiler. Three types of units are available for use inside a residential home. Buyers can select a unit with an internal tankless coil, an external tankless coil, or a tankless coil with a water storage tank.

The choice of water heater to install in a residential home depends on various factors. This includes the size of the home and total cost. Are you looking to install an oil fired water heater in your South Windsor home? Call us at (860) 896-3342 and schedule a service call today!


What To Consider Before Installing a New Water Heater in Your Home

Looking to get a new water heater?

South Windsor Water Heater

Most people just use what came with the house and only give their water heater a second thought when it doesn't work. Whether because of inefficiency, ineffectiveness or it's simply inoperable; there are a few points to cover before you replace your water heater.

Before you buy, measure the available space to ensure your new heater will fit. As nice as it would be to upgrade to that new 50-gallon tank, it will do you no good if you can't get it in the well. Measure the height and width of your current heater and the space around it as well as any doorways and stairwells you may have to traverse.

Make sure your buying the right water heater for your home. Check your fuel source, either natural gas or electric. An electric unit generally costs a bit more to operate. Check for the Energy Star tag to ensure you're getting the most efficient heater available.

Compare your new tank with your old one's gallon capacity. A 30 or 40 gallon tank may be sufficient for a small family but consider upgrading if you have more than four in your home. Most modern water heaters are available in 40 and 50-gallon models.

Having a large tank is great but means less if the recovery rate is too slow. This information should be on the yellow energy guide label and will tell you how many gallons it will heat per hour. On average, a shower or bath takes 20 gallons of hot water, a washing machines take 32 gallons, dishwashers take eight, and other misc uses amount to around 4 gallons. Look for the fastest recovery rate that fits your budget. This label also shows the average annual operating cost.

And finally, take advantage of the numerous incentives offered by utility companies for upgrading your water heater to the more efficient, newer models. Many gas and electric companies offer low-interest financing and cash-back options for home owners interested in upgrading. These rebates can sometimes even cover the cost of upgrading.

Looking to install a new water heater in your South Windsor home? Call us at (860) 896-3342 and get started today!


Differences Between Water Heaters

Tankless Water Heaters vs. Tank Water Heaters

South Windsor Water Heater

Quite simply, the difference between a tankless water heater and a traditional water heater is the presence or absence of a tank. However, once you dig a little deeper and get below the surface you see that there is much more that sets these types of water heaters apart.

The largest benefit of upgrading to a tankless water heater is the instant and relatively endless availability of hot water. These tankless heaters are smaller than traditional tank water heaters and therefore can be installed in much smaller spaces. This means, on average, they can be installed quite close to the point of use reducing the length of plumbing between heater and faucet or shower head. Now you won't have to run the water a while before it heats up which not only is a great convenience, but it also conserves water.

Along those same lines the tankless water heaters also are much more energy efficient. A normal tank heater does just that - heats up a tank of water. The problem arises when you don't use that supply of hot water. It just sits around and cools off which causes the heating elements to fire up in an effort to maintain the high temperature. This can happen multiple times before you actually use this heated water. With a tankless heater it only warms up the water right when you need to use it thereby eliminating the need to waste energy maintaining a reservoir of hot water. Also over time mineral deposits can form on the heating elements in a tank water heater. This decreases the heating efficiency itself. The elements must now heat up the corrosion coating them which in turn heats the water. So now you not only waste power maintaining a tank of hot water, but now you are exerting more effort and energy to simply get up to temperature.

 

If you've ever been caught in the shower with a head full of shampoo right as the water goes cold, just make the switch to a tankless heater and never experience that kind of trauma ever again!

Looking to get a new water heater for your South Windsor home? Call The Water Heater Medic  at (860) 896-3342 and get started today!


Benefits Of Having a Tankless Water Heater In Your Home

Thinking about getting a new water heater?

South Windsor Water Heater

Given that it is a new piece of technology, some families might not know about tankless water heaters. They are highly sought after, because they can provide home owners with a more efficient source of hot water. Some people may want to reserve judgement until they find out a little more. They might be skeptical about how effective it really can be. Read through this article find out the benefits of having this new water heater installed in your home.

The primary benefit of owning a tankless water heater is that it can save you quite a bit of money. Most people will find that they can reduce their energy bill by over $80 a month. This can save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the water heater. Though they may be a bit expensive to install, this can make up for the cost. Many green minded home owners will also appreciate that it reduces the carbon footprint of any home. Since you will use less energy, less harmful products will be released in to the atmosphere.

Many other people will appreciate that it can provide a constant flow of hot water in to your home. The water will simply flow through the unit and become heated up as it goes through. It should only take a couple of minutes for the water to heat up considerably well. The only downside is that you may need to wait just a moment for the hot water to reach the inside of your home. However, this feature is what allows it to save your home energy. It does not have to store a large pool of hot water.

Finally, you may be interested to know that these units are much smaller in size. They can be mounted on a wall of your home, where they will take up less space than a conventional heater. They can last over 20 years, so you won't need to worry about them. They also require fewer repairs than the tank style water heater. You may want to try one out to experience it for yourself.

Thinking about getting a new tankless water heater for your South Windsor home? Call Water Heater Medic at (860) 896-3342 to get started today!