Water Heater Types
Explore different water heater types, including storage tank, tankless, and more. Learn pros and cons to choose the best fit for your needs.
Here is a quick list of the different types of water heaters. We currently prefer storage tank style over any other types, but more on that in another post later.
- Conventional Storage Tank Water Heaters (our personal favorite)
- Tankless Water Heaters
- Heat Pump Water Heaters
- Solar Water Heaters
- Condensing Water Heaters
- Hybrid Water Heaters
- Point-of-Use Water Heaters (mainly for single fixture use)
Heres a quick pro and con list to each style
Conventional Storage Tank Water Heaters:
Pros:
Affordable and easy to install
Parts available readily and locally
Provide hot water to multiple appliances at once
Available in various sizes and fuel types
Cons:
Use a bit of energy to keep the water heated, even when not in use
Take up a lot of space due to their large storage tank
Limited, but good lifespan of 10-15 years
Tankless Water Heaters:
Pros:
Energy efficient as they only heat water when needed
Compact and can be installed in tight spaces
Long lifespan of 20+ years
Cons:
Higher upfront cost and maintenance
May not be able to provide enough hot water for larger households
Require a professional installation and may need upgrades to gas lines or electrical circuits
Heat Pump Water Heaters:
Pros:
Energy efficient as they use electricity to move heat from the air or ground to heat water
Can save up to 60% on energy costs compared to conventional water heaters
Can be installed indoors or outdoors
Cons:
Higher upfront cost
May not work efficiently in colder climates
Can be noisy due to the operation of the heat pump
Solar Water Heaters:
Pros:
Energy efficient as they use the sun's energy to heat water
Can save up to 50% on energy costs compared to conventional water heaters
Environmentally friendly and reduce carbon footprint
Cons:
Higher upfront cost
May not work efficiently in areas with little sun or during cloudy days
Requires a large area for installation
Condensing Water Heaters:
Pros:
Energy efficient as they use exhaust gases to heat water
Can save up to 30% on energy costs compared to conventional water heaters
Can be used with natural gas or propane
Cons:
Higher upfront cost
May require additional venting and drainage systems
May be larger than conventional water heaters
Hybrid Water Heaters:
Pros:
Energy efficient as they use electricity and heat pump technology to heat water
Can save up to 60% on energy costs compared to conventional water heaters
Can be used in a variety of settings and have a long lifespan
Cons:
Higher upfront cost
May not work efficiently in colder climates
May require a professional installation and electrical upgrades
Point-of-Use Water Heaters:
Pros:
Provide hot water instantly and only where needed
Energy efficient as they eliminate the need for hot water recirculation
Compact and can be installed in tight spaces
Cons:
May not be able to provide enough hot water for larger households
Requires a separate unit for each hot water source, which can be costly
May require professional installation and electrical upgrades
What ever water heater you decide to go with, Central Plumbing Inc can help you choose and install the correct one for your home. Email us for more info travis@centralplumbingca.com