Heat pump water heater (hybrid) Use approximately 60 percent less energy than standard electric water heaters. And although they cost more than electric-only models, the installation is similar and the payback time is short. The type of water heater you choose will also affect your water heating costs. One type of water heater may use one type of fuel more efficiently than another type of water heater.
For example, an electric heat pump water heater is typically more energy efficient than a conventional electric storage water heater. In addition, an electric heat pump water heater may have lower energy costs than a conventional gas storage water heater, although local natural gas costs may be lower than electricity rates. Indirect water heaters work in conjunction with the boiler to provide virtually unlimited domestic hot water. They have faster recovery rates than competing tank water heaters, ensuring plenty of hot water when you need it for your active lifestyle.
Hot water heaters come in capacities ranging from 20 to 100 gallons. The larger the capacity, the more hot water you can use before the supply runs out and the game begins to wait for more hot water. A 40 to 50 gallon tank is enough for a 4-person household. Add 10 gallon capacity for each additional person.
The larger the capacity, the larger the water heater. It is essential to determine how much space is available in a basement or utility closet when selecting a new hot water heater. Gas and electric water heaters come in tall models, measuring 50 to 76 inches tall and 18 to 21 inches in diameter, and short models, measuring between 30 and 49 inches tall and 20 to 26 inches in diameter. Also, keep in mind that gas water heaters take up more space due to the pipes and ventilation ducts they require.
If you're short on space, consider tankless water heaters much more compact. Since tankless water heaters do not have the water storage capacity of conventional tank heaters, they have their limitations. A typical tankless water heater provides hot water at a rate of 2 to 5 gallons per minute, which can limit the flow of hot water into the home, especially if multiple faucets or appliances use hot water at the same time. From a respected name in water heaters comes the Rheem Performance Platinum 50 Gal.
This tank water heater offers excellent performance and efficiency in all aspects. 50-gallon capacity provides enough water for a family of five without breaking the bank. There's a lot in Rheem's Performance 50 Gal. One of the best Rheem water heaters available, this unit's 50-gallon capacity can provide hot water for a four year old home.
This 6-year-old tank delivers 61 gallons of water in the first hour. While this electric unit lacks the energy efficiency of a gas water heater, it does include some great features designed to improve efficiency and reliability. This unit comes with overheat protection with a temperature pressure relief valve to prevent the tank from reaching temperatures above 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Selected as the best tankless electric water heaters, users can say “never again to cold showers” with the Stiebel Eltron Tankless Tempra 24 Plus.
In addition to supplying a constant flow of hot water, the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus includes several features that make it one of the best tankless water heaters. When the demand for hot water starts to exceed capacity, the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus automatically reduces the flow rate slightly to ensure that hot water continues to arrive. Like most electric tankless water heaters, this unit will provide up to 5 gallons of hot water per minute and can save you money. Tempra uses 15 to 20 percent less energy than standard tank water heaters.
Other attractive features include easy-to-use digital controls for outlet and water temperature. The unit is small, weighs just over 15 pounds and takes up very little space with its 20 by 20 inch profile. Rinnai also minimizes the number of tubes required to vent the gas burner with a concentric ventilation system, which allows inlet and exhaust to pass through the same vent. Another included feature is a temperature lock to prevent accidental thermostat changes.
At just over 1 foot wide and 2 feet high, this tankless water heater doesn't take up much space, making it ideal for smaller spaces. On average, a gas, electric or hybrid tank hot water heater will last between eight and 12 years. Tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years. Consider the different types of water heaters available and determine the right size and fuel source for your home.
With its powerful 40,000 BTU gas burner, the Performance Platinum can deliver a staggering 77 gallons of hot water in the first hour. All of these options can make you feel like you're in deep water when it comes to making the right choice. They work by using ceiling-mounted panels that transfer energy through a closed-loop system that connects to the water tank which then heats the water. In addition to compressors that heat water by trapping heat from the environment, they are equipped with auxiliary immersion heating units.
There, a gas burner or an electric element heats the water, providing a constant supply of hot water for the duration of the shower. Hybrid electric water heaters are ideal replacements for electric water heaters, as they run on electricity, but their operation is economical thanks to their ultra-efficient technology. Although operating costs fluctuate with gas and electricity rates, gas is significantly cheaper than electric. Fresh water enters the tank from the top through a diffuser that deposits the water towards the bottom of the tank.
While a digital display can increase the initial cost of the unit, it improves the efficiency of the hot water heater and ultimately saves money. The fuel used by a water heating system will not only affect annual operating costs, but also the size of the water heater and energy efficiency. This list includes some of the most efficient and technologically advanced units from renowned water heater manufacturers. Water heaters can be powered in several ways; electricity and gas are the most common types, and propane, oil and solar models also exist.
Although they save water, all of these units have powerful BTUs or wattages to heat large amounts of water quickly. . .