Who knew choosing a water heater for your home could be so difficult? With the abundant amount of choices, where do you start? We recommend asking yourself two important questions before you begin:
- How do you need the water heater to perform?
- Do you want to pay more money upfront for an energy efficient model to save money over the lifetime of the equipment?
Once you answer those questions you’ll be able to eliminate a few of your choices. Read on for a quick run-down of the different types of water heaters you can choose from.
TYPES OF WATER HEATERS:
Standard storage water heaters
Standard storage water heaters are the most commonly used type of water heater.
- They store and heat water in a reservoir tank.
- Water is heated using electric or gas energy.
- As water is used, the water heater tank is refilled and a set temperature is maintained to deliver hot water whenever it is needed.
- Natural gas heat is usually less expensive than electric heat, however the equipment itself is usually more expensive upfront.
- Its life expectancy is generally around 10 years if you follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations.
Our expert plumbers can help you choose a water heater with the right capacity and energy efficiency necessary to meet your specific needs. We are proud to offer high-quality, high efficiency State water heaters.
Hybrid water heaters
Hybrid water heaters operate a lot like heat pumps, they transfer heat from the air into the water.
- They typically require more physical space due to the heat pump on top of it.
- It costs more initially to install but uses much less energy than traditional water heaters over its lifetime.
- It typically pays for itself after 3 years and has an average life expectancy of 15 years.
We offer GE Hybrid Electric water heaters to the Raleigh, North Carolina area. The GE GeoSpring water heater is America’s most efficient 50-gallon water heater, using up to 62% less energy than a standard electric 50-gallon water heater.
Tankless water heaters
Tankless water heaters are great for households that don’t need large amounts of hot water.
- Rather than storing water for future use, tankless water heaters heat water as you need it using heating coils.
- They are much more energy efficient than a standard storage water heater but provide a smaller flow of hot water per minute.
- Install of this water heater is easier in a home that is set up with natural gas, otherwise you’ll need to make upgrades to your home’s electrical system.
- Its life expectancy is generally around 20 years.
We are proud to offer Rinnai™ tankless water heaters to North Carolina homeowners. These water heaters are efficient, convenient, affordable and deliver more than 40% energy savings.
For more on water heater repair, service or installation please contact us. Don’t forget to ask us about our exclusive 100% satisfaction guarantee!