When it comes to looking for a new model and brand for your home’s hot water heater system there are many choices to pick from. However, there are some guidelines involved when it comes to picking out the right hot water heater for your home.
There are many water heaters with many different functional designs and of course fuel types. When it comes to functional design, we can break it down to three main types. First is the most common design found in most homes and that is the conventional storage tank hot water heater also referred to as a standard tank water heater.
Standard Tank Hot Water Heater – The conventional storage water heater comes with a reservoir or a storage tank that holds the water and keeps it hot until it is needed.
The second main functional design hot water heater is the tankless water heater that is also called demand-type, on-demand, or instantaneous hot water heater.
Tankless Water Heater – As you can garner by its names, the tankless hot water heater does not have a reservoir or a storage tank to hold hot water. Rather it heats water on demand when hot water is needed.
The third and final main functional design hot water heater is the hybrid heat pump hot water heater.
Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater – The hybrid heat pump water heater makes use of a reverse refrigeration technique which absorbs heat from the surrounding air in order to heat water. It often will feature additional fuel sources in order to supplement the heat pump when it is not able to draw enough heat from the surrounding air, such as the case in the winter. Just like conventional water heaters, hybrid heat pump water heaters will have a storage tank.
When looking for a new hot water heater you should always consider the following factors listed below. You should also speak with your local professional plumbing service company, such as Ben Franklin Plumbing for our expert advice on what your home will specifically need.
The Efficiency of a Hot Water Heater
Out of three main types of hot water heaters, the hybrid heat pump hot water heater could be considered the most energy efficient since it technically will not require any fuel in order to heat water. Of course this is not the case at all times, especially if you live in an area that experiences cold winters. The tankless hot water heater comes in second place because it will not loose heat over time as is the case with conventional storage tank hot water heaters. Lastly, the conventional hot water heater comes in as the most inefficient model since it loses a lot of energy when the stored hot water is not in use. It is extremely important that you consider the efficiencies of the three before you make a choice. Hot water heaters can account for 15 percent or even more of a home’s energy bill, which means the more inefficient it is, the higher your energy bill will be.
The efficiency factor also takes into count the cost of the hot water heater. Typically, the tankless water heater ends up being the most expensive to purchase and have installed. However, it will typically end up being the most economical solution because of its low energy consumption and due to the fact that it is much easier and cheaper to have it maintained than with the other two types of hot water heaters.
Installation Space for a Hot Water Heater
You may need to keep space in mind when you are shopping for a new hot water heater. This is especially true if you live in a condo or a small townhouse. A tankless water heater, which has no storage tank, takes up only about a fifth of the total space that a conventional storage or hybrid heat pump hot water heater would. You should speak with a professional plumber for their advice regarding available space and what would be best for you.
Hot Water Heater Fuel Types
The last thing you should consider is what fuel type you can use. Most hot water heaters will use either electric or gas but there are some modes that can make use of both. If your budget allows there are also some hot water heaters that use solar electricity. When shopping for a new hot water heater you should always keep in mind the availability, affordability, and the efficiency of the fuel type of any hot water heater before you decide. If you need help, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is here for you.
About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, TX has professional Arlington plumbers servicing Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Our experienced, courteous and friendly plumbers provide on time plumbing related services to not only Arlington but surrounding areas also. If you need a professional plumber that you can count on for plumbing repairs, maintenance and / or installation then you can count on us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas.
Ben Franklin Plumbing is a leader in the field for plumbing related repairs. We are also one of the most trusted plumbing service brands in the industry with high standards of service that you can rely on. When you contact us, you can rest assured knowing that you are receiving the best Arlington plumbers. Our commitment to service and excellence is reflected in our stone solid A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. If you have a plumbing related problem in your home or business and you need help, do not hesitate to contact us today. Our professional, courteous and friendly Arlington plumbers will be more than happy to assist you and answer any of your questions and schedule an appointment with you to assess the plumbing related problem and resolve it at your earliest convenience. Give Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas a call today if you are looking for professional Arlington plumbers. If there’s any delay, it’s you we pay.®