Maybe you just bought a new house, or the water heater you’ve always had finally stopped working. With so many different types of water heaters on the market, it can be hard to choose what kind of unit to install, let alone understand which option will be the best for you and your home. For people who aren’t familiar with the plumbing industry or those who haven’t had to make any home repairs, the fact that there are even water heating options to choose from may be totally new information. That’s why we wanted to give you an introductory course on water heaters and put together some basic information so that you can better understand your options and eventually determine which type is best for you.
Tank Water Heaters
Conventional tank water heaters, also referred to as storage tank water heaters, are the most popular choice among homeowners. They’ve been around the longest, and they are generally more affordable than the more modern choices. There are a few different ways tank water heaters can function, each with its own pros and cons. However, most people tend to choose between two types of tank units, atmospheric vent water heaters or power vent water heaters.
Atmospheric Vent Water Heaters
Atmospheric vent water heaters, or standard vent water heaters, are the most common and most affordable water heating option. This type of unit consists of a vertical or upward-sloping vent duct that typically connects to a common vent or a home’s chimney. Atmospheric vent water heaters work without electricity and generally have a lifespan of ten years. These systems can be a great option if they are properly designed and the home doesn’t suffer from something called backdraft, an issue that causes exhaust gas from the water heater to end up back in the house. Backdrafting can have many causes, but poorly designed vents can be highly susceptible to the issue and therefore less sustainable. However, if the job is done right, atmospheric vent water heaters are a standard choice that continue to work well in many homes.
Power Vent Water Heaters
On the other hand, power vent water heaters use electricity to run an electric blower fan that is installed on the top of the water heater, allowing the system to vent exhaust directly out of the home. The downside of power venting is that it does need electricity nearby to run the fan’s motor. However, this option is more efficient than a standard vent as it is designed to utilize heat from the exhaust to also heat the water, leading to overall energy savings. Similar to an atmospheric vent water heater, power vent water heaters have a lifespan of about 10 years. While it can be expensive to switch from a standard vent to a power vent, the energy savings and increased efficiency may be worth it.
Tankless Water Heaters
Even though traditional tank water heaters are the most common water heating option, their counterpart, tankless water heaters, are rising in popularity. As the name implies, tankless water heaters heat water as needed as opposed to heating and storing hot water like a traditional tank unit. Tankless technology recirculates hot water through your pipes so as soon as you open the tap, you get hot water within seconds, not minutes. Once the water is heated, you’ll receive “unlimited” hot water meaning you won’t be shocked when your shower turns ice cold because someone else used up the hot water before you.
Tankless water heaters use up to 40 percent less energy than tank water heaters, which not only protects the environment but also your wallet. Most units have a life expectancy of 20+ years, meaning you’ll spend less money on replacing them in the long-run. Tankless water heaters are more expensive than tank water heaters, but their energy and cost savings over time tend to outweigh the initial costs for a lot of homeowners. Similar to switching from an atmospheric vent system to a power vent system, when upgrading to a tankless water heater, you may also experience increased prices as venting has to be reworked. Higher sustainability does come at a cost, but for those who are ready to make the switch, it’s well worth it.
What Will it Be?
With so many water heating options, we hope this breakdown helps you better understand what’s out there for you, as well as what you will be gaining with the type of unit you choose. If you’re still not sure which type of water heater may be best for you, visit the Hot Water page on our website or give us a call. Our experienced team is glad to help you determine what type of water heater will work best in your home. We’ll have you getting the most out of your hot water in no time!