When you learn you need a new water heater, it means an opportunity to save energy and money over the long term. After all, heating water makes up about 15 percent of a home’s energy use and a more efficient water heater can use 10-50% less energy. There are many different options to choose from so below is a brief summary of four popular kinds of water heaters.
Storage Tank Water Heater: The most common, and it keeps anywhere from 20 – 80 gallons of water stored in an insulated tank, heated, and ready for use at any moment.
- Pro: Very common; back up supply of water always on hand.
- Con: Wastes energy because it keeps water hot at all times, but you can still find ENERGY STAR Certified models for purchase. When you run out of hot water, there is a lapse before it is reheated.
Tankless Water Heater: Does not have a water “tank” to store water. Instead, a coil heats the water when you need it. Tankless water heaters are best for homes that use natural gas to heat the water.
- Pro: More energy-efficient than a storage tank.
- Con: Best for houses that are only using water for one thing at a time (for example, not running the dishwasher at the same time you are showering). If you don’t run on natural gas, you might need to make an expensive electrical upgrade to make this work.
Heat Pump Water Heater: A hybrid water heater that is energy-efficient, but still contains a storage tank. Heat pumps transfer energy from surrounding air to the water to heat the water.
Solar Water Heating: Involves a solar cell that sits on the roof and transfers heat to a water tank through a closed-loop system.
- Pro: Can be very cost effective.
- Con: Takes years to recoup costs. Requires back up water heater for when solar does not work.
Before making your decision, check out this table from smarterhouse.org to compare up-front costs and potential money saved over time:
Life-Cycle Costs for 13-Year Operation of Different Types of Water Heaters
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