Which Type of Water Heater Is Right for You?

There are many ways to heat water in your home. Some may cost more than others but have more benefits than others. If you’re in need of a water heater replacement, check out these four common types of water heaters to determine which is right for you.

1. Traditional Tank

Most people are familiar with the traditional tank water heater. These systems require a large tank to store heated water, and they are usually powered by gas or electricity. This water is then used for your household needs: bathing, cleaning, washing, cooking, etc.

On average, gas systems are a bit more costly at about $300 to $600 vs. $250 to $500 for electric. However, depending on your local electricity costs, it may cost more to run an electric water heater tank. The price does not include installation, which can add another $700 to $2,000.

You can also choose a high-efficiency storage tank water heater, which uses less energy to keep your bills lower. This is important because a tank system uses a lot of energy to keep the water hot at all times.

The advantage of a tank system is that you usually have instant hot water. However, depending on the size of the tank and how much hot water you use, you can run out of hot water for a short period of time. In this case, it can take quite a long time for the tank to refill, and during this time, you won’t have access to hot water. However, you can usually find the right sized tank for your needs. 

2. Tankless

As the name suggests, a tankless system doesn't require a tank. This means it takes up less space, and it doesn't waste energy to keep the stored water hot. As a result, you'll have lower energy bills. However, they do cost more to install at about $800 to $3,000 for the entire-home-service system.

Of course, because there is no tank, the system doesn't start heating the water until you turn on the hot water. For this reason, it takes a few minutes for the water to reach the desired temperature. Once it reaches that point, however, you won't run out of hot water unless you lose power.

3. Point-of-Use

A point-of-use system is a special type of tankless water heater system. These only heat one faucet each, but they only cost about $200 to $400, depending on the size. These are great for providing hot water to faucets that don't have hot water. However, they can also enhance the heating power of your existing traditional tank water heater.

If you install a point-of-use system where you use hot water the most: such as the kitchen sink or the shower you’ll find a lot of use out of it because those faucets don't take as much hot water from the tank. As a result, your hot water lasts longer even if you use a lot of it. This can be an affordable way to improve your existing system without spending a fortune.

4. Solar Tank

Solar tanks are the most expensive option, costing about $8,000 to $10,000. However, they last a long time, and some have been known to last 30 years or longer. Plus, solar systems use the sun to power it, which is essentially free energy. This drastically lowers your energy bills.

There are multiple types of solar water heaters. Some are active, which means they use a flat plate collector to use a non-freezing heat-transfer fluid or the sun's heat and energy to heat the water. Passive systems are less expensive to install, but they are less effective, especially in places with freezing temperatures. These passive systems don't create energy from the sun to heat the water. Instead, the sun warms the tanks of water naturally.

If you’re in need of a new water heater, there are many options, costs, and benefits to consider. If you would like to know more, contact us at Oak Creek Plumbing and Remodeling today, and we can help you get started.