The most common type in this area would be a tank type water heater that is powered by electricity. This type of heater is a reservoir of water that could range from 20 to 80 gallons and possibly more. This water heater will have power wired into the top of it through a thick wire usually covered in a protective coating. It has two elements on the front, one near the bottom and one near the top. The two of them work together to maintain the optimal temperature. As hot water is being used in the house, cold water water enters the tank. As soon as the sensor recognizes a lower temperature, the elements kick on to begin heating the water back to the starting temperature.
Another type of tank water heater Is one powered by fuel. Either natural gas or more commonly propane. This type of heater has some sort of metal or flexible piping connecting the fuel source to the gas valve located at the front near the bottom of the tank. This valve provides the fuel to the burner underneath the reservoir in order to heat the water. It operates in a similar fashion to the electric water heaters but uses a different fuel source. A very distinguishing difference between the two is that a gas type water heater will have a method of venting the exhaust out of the building.
The next type of water heater is very different. This is the tankless water heater. These are normally wall hung units that provide "on demand" hot water. As hot water is demanded in the building, the cold water is sent through a heat exchanger that rapidly heats the water providing you with the optimal water temperature. Alike the tank types, an electric tankless will not have an exhaust as a gas type will have an exhaust.
The advantages for the tank type water heater are fairly simple. They are usually the low cost option. The product itself is less money as well as the maintenance and repairs. Maintenance can actually be done by the homeowner. Another small advantage is that if you lose power to your home, you will have the tank remaining full of water until is it is used.
The advantage to the tankless water heaters are the efficiency. They cost less to run because they use less energy as the operate. They also are compact so they can save space in your home or garage. Another advantage is that they have a longer lifespan with proper care.
The disadvantages to the tank type are for one, lifespan. They generally don't last as long as a tankless. Another disadvantage is that when their lifespan is over, it can create a large mess. Although this is true, provisions can be made to ensure such problems do not arise. Another disadvantage is that you only have a limited amount of hot water before recovery time is necessary. After multiple showers back to back along with operating the washing machine, dishwasher, etc., you may lose most of the hot water and have to wait 30-50 minutes for the water to recover in temperature.
The disadvantages to the tankless are up front cost, repairs and maintenance. The up front cost problem is not necessarily true if you already have a tankless and are just getting a new one. The issue is when you are switching from a tank to a tankless, it takes much more work and material. The next is the maintenance. Some inexperienced plumbers and salesman will tell you that you do not need to maintain these water heaters. They are absolutely wrong. These heaters should be flushed with a chemical solution yearly by a professional. Negligence in doing so will diminish efficiency and hinder lifespan greatly. Lastly is the repairs. The repairs on these machines can be tricky and the parts are not always very cheap.
A tank type water heater should last 10-15 years. A tankless water heater is designed to last 20 provided it has been properly maintained.
Lifespan of water heaters can increased with conditioning of the water. Softening and filtering the water will help.
Are you running out of hot water? How many people live in the home? The more people in home will require more hot water due to multiple showers as well as more dishes and clothes to clean. The increase in demand can warrant a larger heater or an additional mixing valve. A mixing valve is an after market part installed above a water heater that allows the heater to run at a hire temperature but keeps the discharging water at a safe temperature. This can create a third more hot water to be available.
In the case of tankless water heaters, if multiple showers will be operating simultaneously as well as other cleaning machines, a higher output heater may be necessary.
Our experts will be able to easily determine what size water heater you and/or your family needs.
A sure sign of a necessary change is if there is water leaking from the bottom of the tank. Another sign would be corrosion on the top or on the front of the tank. It is very common for homeowners to preemptively change their water heaters before disasters occur. If the tank is over 10 years old, its time to start thinking about a change out.
For a tankless, corrosion inside and/or water leaking from the bottom of the unit can be signs that the heater is about to be at the end of its lifespan.