February 20, 2024

Choosing a water heater used to mean picking between a few brands. Technology developed many alternatives to conventional water heaters though, so now a homeowner has a multitude of choices. Whether you need to replace a broken water heater or install one in a new home, today’s choices offer a water heater to suit any needs.

Types of Water Heaters

Depending on the climate in which you live and your hot water needs, any of the six types of water heaters could fit your needs. These water heater types include:

- Conventional storage water heater, also called a tank water heater

- Tankless water heater

- Point-of-use water heater

- Hybrid water heater, also called an electric heat pump water heater

- Combination boiler water heater

- Electric Water Heaters

The number of heated gallons of water you need each day contributes a deciding factor as to which type you choose. Second to daily water needs, climate influences the best-suited choice.

You Need Reliable Hot Water

Any home could use a tank system. These systems feature tanks ranging from 10 to 80 gallons in volume, whereas a tankless system provides endless hot water.

You Need to Add Hot Water to One Faucet or more

A point-of-use water heater lets you add a water heater to a single point, such as a specific lavatory or sink. They operate with less energy efficiency than other types but can provide a convenient way to plumb a new bathroom.

You Need to Reduce Energy Consumption

Hybrid water heaters use a heat pump that draws on the ambient ground temperature to heat the water. Using this type of water heater reduces energy consumption by as much as 60 percent from a conventional tank water heater. These systems do not work well in cold climates.

You Lack Space in Your Home

A tankless water heater heats the water with unlimited hot water at your finger tips. The single unit distributes water throughout the home. These units conserve space and provides large volumes of hot water, so they make a good option for large families.

You Need a Natural Gas Option

If your home uses natural gas or propane for most of its energy needs, a condensing tankless water heater might suit your home. These systems does not use a large water tank and will not waste gas to heat water. The gas or propane tankless helps to reduce energy consumption, so the household saves money. Although they save money over the long term, these tankless systems cost more initially.

How Do You Choose?

Avoid arbitrary decisions when choosing a water heater type. Just because your home came with a 30-gallon tank water heater does not mean that best suits it. Consult with a plumber to find out the ideal solution for your home. The plumber will visit with you, examining your current setup and the areas it serves. That includes each bathroom, the kitchen sink, the laundry room, and other areas that may use hot water, such as a garage washbasin or workshop sink. The plumber will ask about your family size, daily water use, and the type of energy your home uses – electricity, natural gas, propane etc. The recommendation you receive will suit your household ideally because, in water heaters, one size does not ever fit all.

Finding the Right Water Heater for Your Needs

Contact Valleys Best Plumbing, Heating, and Air for help determining the best water heater type for your location, family size, and energy use type. We proudly offer top-notch water heating services and products to the Coachella Valley. Our trained, certified plumbers offer expert plumbing services backed by more than 30 years of experience. Our team repairs, services, maintains, replaces, and installs water heaters of all types. Call us today to update or upgrade your home’s water heater.