Although water heaters are extremely durable when properly maintained, nothing lasts forever. This means that at some point in time, you will be looking for a replacement water heater. The question you will have is what type of water heater is best for you? Fortunately, there have been many advances in water heater technology over the past few years, and you will be able to choose from several excellent models.
The type of water heater that will work best for you will depend on your particular circumstances. Because of this, it would be to your advantage to learn a little bit about the various types of water heaters currently available so that you can make an informed choice. That being said, here is a description of two of the more popular types:
Tank Water Heaters
Tank water heaters continue to be one of the more popular choices for residential use due to their large storage capacity. Although tank water heaters come in different sizes, a 100 gallon unit will supply enough hot water to meet the needs of most families. Because of their storage capabilities, tank water heaters continuously keep an ample supply of hot water ready so that no one has to wait for the water to be heated. While it might be possible to exhaust the supply of hot water, doing so is rare for this type of water heater.
Tank water heaters are both reliable and convenient. However, they have a few disadvantages when compared to other designs. For one thing, they are not as energy efficient as some other models. This is because the water inside the tank is maintained at a constant temperature throughout the year, whether it is needed or not.
Another disadvantage to tank water heaters is that they tend to be quite large and consume a significant amount of space that could be used for other purposes. This may not be a problem for some people, but for others, it is a valid concern. If you have the space, though, and need a reliable, large-capacity unit, a tank water heater could be your best choice.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters rely on a completely different design as compared to tank water heaters. Instead of heating water in a large tank, a tankless water heater uses a heat exchanger to heat water as it is being used. The process is similar to the way that a boiler operates. Because there is no tank, tankless units do not stay on continuously in order to insure a ready source of hot water. Rather, the unit turns itself on and heats the water when it is needed. Then, when no hot water is being called for, the unit turns itself off.
Due to the way that tankless designs operate, the amount of energy consumed is significantly less than that of a tank design, which can help lower your annual utility costs. Tankless designs also consume less space, making them the ideal choice for homes where space is at a premium. If you need a water heater that takes up less space and has the potential to save you money on your utility bill, you should consider a tankless design.
If you need immediate water heater repair in Loveland, Fort Collins water heater repair, or are in the market for a new water heater, Swan Heating & Air Conditioning, of Loveland, Colorado, can assist you in selecting the design that is right for you. Contact us today to make an appointment with one of our experts.