Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. On average, hot water heaters account for 15% of home utilities, but operating an inefficient or outdated system can lead to increased monthly costs. Finding the most efficient type of water heater for your home is the first step to saving money on your bills.
The most common types of water heaters are:
- Standard
- Tankless
STANDARD WATER HEATERS
One of the most common types of water heaters is the standard, tanked water heater. Standard water heaters are generally the most affordable heaters, and are also easier to install than other types. To heat your water, a standard water heater uses an insulated tank that holds hot water at a specific capacity. When the water is heated within the tank, it stays warm until you need to use it. Unfortunately, this also means that the tank has a limit of how much water it can hold. If the tank runs out of hot water during a shower, you might be in for a cold surprise!
Fitting your home with the correct sized water tank and watching your water usage can help you avoid running out of hot water. However, you can still find yourself without hot water if you use an excessive amount of water during a short period of time.
Standard water heater tanks also require you to maintain and clean the tank at least twice a year. With proper maintenance, though, these water heaters can last around 12 years.
TANKLESS WATER HEATERS
Another common type of water heater is the tankless, or on-demand, water heater. Unlike the standard version, the tankless water heater uses coils filled with water to provide hot water. These coils heat water quickly, giving you access to hot water at any time. With a tankless water heater, you don’t have to rely on a tank to reheat if you need to use a lot of water.
Tankless water heaters are not one size fits all. If your tankless heater isn’t fitted for your home, your water may not reach the temperature you need. To ensure you always have hot water, make sure your tankless heater is the right size for your home. Our technicians at Unique Indoor Comfort can help you figure out the most accurate size for your hot water needs.
In addition to finding the right size for your home, tankless water heaters also require yearly maintenance to ensure they are running efficiently. With yearly cleaning and maintenance, tankless water heaters are one of the most efficient systems to heat your water. Instead of constantly holding heated water in a tank , they only heat water as you need, which reduces the energy needed for it to run. By choosing a high efficiency water heater, you can reduce your monthly energy bills.
WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR WATER HEATING BILLS
In addition to choosing high efficiency water heater, you can also reduce your bills by:
- Using less water
- Turning down the thermostat on your water heater
- Insulating your water heater
Making changes to your water usage can reduce your monthly bills, but running an inefficient system has the greatest effect on cost-savings. If you are in need of a new water heater or are thinking about upgrading, learn more about our installation process or schedule an in home consultation.
WATER HEATER INSTALLATION
For a simple replacement or a full upgrade, contact Unique Indoor Comfort for your water heater installation. We’ll inspect your existing system and provide accurate recommendations for the system that best fits your home’s construction. We install a range of water heaters, from standard units to state-of-the-art, tankless hot water heating systems.
After installation, we provide our quality assurance check to make sure everything is running properly. Lastly, our Unique warranty is a 360 day satisfaction guarantee, if you have any problems or questions, just give us a call!
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WATER HEATER HVAC SYSTEMS?
We are here to help! Click below to contact us or give us a call at (610) 825-4400.
FAQ’s
What type of maintenance is required?
To ensure your water heater is performing efficiently, and to avoid corrosion, your water heater should be maintained one to two times a year. While there are parts of the water heater that can be cleaned by the homeowner, our Water Heater Maintenance Procedure will ensure that your system is clean and functioning properly. Our Maintenance Procedure includes:
- Flushing the system for sediment
- Inspection of water heater and surrounding piping for potential leaks
- Inspection of anode rod, pilot and burner assemblies
- Measure and record the home water pressure
- Verify draft of water heater (gas) and inspect chimney or line
- Wipe down entire cabinet to prevent exterior rusting that can feed into the internal tank
- And more!
How much does a typical water heater installation cost?
Standard water heaters cost between $1000 and $4000 to install depending on the size. While standard water heaters are generally more affordable to install, they are not as efficient, which can raise your monthly heating costs. The more efficient, tankless water heater has a higher upfront cost, but its efficiency can save you money in the long run. Tankless water heaters cost anywhere from $4500 to $7500 depending on the size of your home.
