If you are building a new home or your water heater has reached the end of its lifecycle, you need to find a qualified plumber to install a new water heater.
A water heater is not an everyday purchase. For most homeowners, it is something you only need to purchase about once a decade. It is okay if you are unsure what type of water heater you should buy for your home.
We will go over the five main types of water heaters, giving you a better idea of what you need.
A conventional water heater is the style of water heater most people are familiar with.
A conventional storage-tank water heater has a tank where all the hot water is stored. The tank is insulated, so once the water is heated, it stays warm until you need it.
The capacity of the tank directly relates to how much available hot water you have to access. The thank has two valves on it. One valve controls the temperature, and the other controls the pressure.
This is the most common type of water heater used in family homes. However, you are limited by how much hot water the tank can hold. If you use a lot of hot water daily, you must wait for the tank to heat more water.
A conventional storage-tank water heater is constantly working and running. To extend its lifespan, you will want to clean your water heater tank twice a year.
This removes sediment and mineral scale from inside the tank and helps to reduce corrosion. Your heater will work without being cleaned; however, cleaning will allow you to use your conventional storage-tank water heater for longer periods.
The two biggest benefits of a conventional storage-tank water heater are that they are affordable and easy to install. If you already have a conventional tank water heater, it will be easy to swap out your old one for a new one.
The biggest drawback of a conventional storage-tank water heater is that it can only hold so much hot water. If you use all of that hot water in the tank, it can take a while for the tank to refill and heat another round of water.
That is why it is so important to get the sizing of your tank right. Here are some general guidelines based on average water consumption for different family size units:
We will talk to you about your family’s specific water needs and work to determine what size tank your family needs to always have enough hot water on hand!
A tankless water heater uses modern technology to provide you with an almost endless hot water supply.
A tankless water heater doesn’t have a big tank on it. Instead, it is a small unit with super-heated coils that quickly heat water as needed.
Tankless water heaters come in different sizes, so getting the right tankless water heater for your home is still important. If your tankless water heater is too small, you will end up with lukewarm water.
Tankless water heaters work best when powered by natural gas.
A tankless water heater is designed to last between eight to ten years. They should be cleaned at least once a year to avoid corrosion and remove mineral scale. They can be a little challenging to clean as they contain small parts.
A tankless water heater offers two major benefits.
First, they are really energy efficient. As they only heat water when you need it, they only use energy when you need hot water. This can reduce your energy bill.
Second, you will have an endless hot water supply when you get the right size unit.
The drawbacks of a tankless water heater are that it can cost more to install than a traditional tank water heater. Also, you may need to upgrade to larger gas lines or upgrade your home's power capacity to support a tankless water heater.
A heat pump water heater, also called a hybrid water heater, is a great choice if you are looking for an alternative energy-efficient water heating solution.
A heat pump water heater works differently than a storage tank or tankless water heater. Instead of directly heating the water, it uses heat in the air and ground to heat your water.
Electricity moves heat from the air or ground to the water instead of generating the heat itself. This greatly reduces the electrical load of your water heater.
To keep a heat pump water heater working smoothly, you should clean the tank at least twice a year.
The biggest benefit of installing a heat pump water heater is that it is highly water-efficient. It can really bring down your energy costs and save you money over the long run.
The biggest drawback of a heat pump water heater is that you need around eight feet of vertical clearance to install this style of water heater. If your home isn’t naturally equipped with that amount of space, this may not be the right choice for your home.
A heat pump water heater doesn’t work that well in basements. It also doesn’t work as well in areas with colder climates.
If you have solar panels on your home, a solar-powered water heater is another great way to tap into the power of solar power.
A solar-powered water heater relies on roof-mounted solar panels as its primary energy source. The energy from the solar panels is transferred to the water heater using heat conductive material, which warms up the water in your tank.
A solar-powered water heater requires a backup power source, such as natural gas or electricity, so you can generate hot water when the sun goes down if you use all the water hot in your tank.
You will need to clean the tank twice a year. In addition, you need to keep the solar panels in good shape and ensure they are working properly.
A solar-powered water heater allows you to maximize the output of your solar panels. You can significantly reduce the paid energy you need from either natural gas or electricity.
The drawback of a solar-powered water heater is that it is expensive and can take a long time to see a return on your investment. Also, if the weather isn’t favorable, you must use a backup power source.
If your home’s heating and cooling system uses natural gas, you can use the leftover gas fumes to heat your home’s water.
If your home uses natural gas as a heat source, you may want to consider a condensing water heater. The exhaust from the natural gas system heats the water.
The water tank looks like the tank of a conventional storage water heater. The gas fumes pass through a coil at the bottom of the tank, heating the water.
A condensing water heater relies primarily on natural gas fumes, so it consumes very little direct energy.
You will need to clean the tank once or twice a year. You should also clean the gas import valves once a year.
If you heat your home with natural gas, this is a great way to reduce your hot water energy needs by using natural gas fumes to heat your water. You will want to go with a larger tank to ensure you have enough hot water on-demand when you need it.
A condescending water heater requires you to use natural gas to heat your home. It also works best for homes with larger water needs.
Do you need a new water heater installed?
M&E Plumbing can help you choose the right water heater for your home and take care of installing your new water heater and hauling away your old water heater.
M&E Plumbing provides water heater installation services to Grundy, Kendall, & Will Counties
Call us at 815-600-9215, or use our service request form to arrange a service call.
Monday-Friday
7:00 AM to 4:30 PM
IDPH Plumber License #058-176207
