Which Type of Water Heater Is Best for Your Home?

Water heating accounts for nearly 20% of the average American household’s annual energy consumption. There are many water heating configurations to choose from, and the choice you make today will affect your comfort and budget for years to come. Let’s explore everything you need to know before selecting your next water heater in San Antonio, TX.

Water Heater Options

There are two core water heater types: tank and tankless. The former store hot water in a tank, while the latter heat it on demand. There are many choices to make within those two broad categories.

Tank Water Heaters

Also known as a storage water heater, a tank water heater stores and heats water in a tank. This has been the most common way to provide hot water to U.S. homes for decades. The average tank size in the United States is 40 to 50 gallons. There are much smaller capacities for households with only one or two people. Manufacturers also make 100-gallon and larger tanks for larger households. There are also different form factors, such as tall models for garage installations and squat models for low-clearance installs.

Sized well, a tank water heater will have all the hot water you need ready to go when you request it. A downside to these systems is that if you run out of hot water, you’re out until the system recovers. Another consideration is that storage water heaters are inherently inefficient. They have to consume energy to keep water heated for your eventual needs.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters, also known as instant and on-demand water heaters, aren’t a new invention. They’ve been around as long as tank models, but they only started gaining popularity in the U.S. during the 1990s. As the name suggests, these models don’t have a tank; instead, they heat your hot water on demand. The advantage is that if you size the system well, you’ll never run out of hot water. Another benefit is that they have a much smaller installation footprint, so they save space.

The industry sizes tank water heaters in gallons. When sizing a tankless water heater, you must consider the flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM). Each fixture and water-using appliance uses a certain GPM. It would help to have a system flow rate that meets the total GPM of all the fixtures and appliances you want to run concurrently. It would also help to consider temperature rise, the difference between your cold-water temperature and desired hot-water temperature. Tankless water heaters provide a different flow rate depending on the rise.

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Heat pump water heaters are a newer type of electric storage water heater. These units use a heat pump rather than heating elements, and it’s a lot more efficient. The efficiency is even better than that of instant water heaters in many cases. The downside to heat pump water heaters is that they’re slow to recover. Some hybrid models have overcome this problem. The hybrids have a heat pump and heating elements but use the elements only during high demand.

Combination Boiler Water Heaters

Combination or “combi” boilers combine two systems: a hot water boiler and a storage water heater. Combi units are cost-effective for households that use a boiler for heat.

Power and Fuel Options

Another core choice you’ll need to make is whether you want an electric or fuel-burning water heater. Note that many modern fuel-burning water heaters require electricity. Many use it for displays, and some even use it for electronic ignition systems.

Electricity

Standard electric water heaters are typically the most affordable to purchase and install. They also provide the cleanest and most efficient operation. The problem with models that use heating elements is that they consume a substantial amount of electricity. Since electricity costs are relatively high in many areas, they can be expensive to run.

Natural Gas

Fuel-burning water heaters are more expensive to purchase and install. They also create gases as byproducts, so you must have a good ventilation system for the fumes and monitors for carbon monoxide. Despite that, they’re more affordable in the long term due to the cost of fuel. Natural gas is the preferred option if you have access because it’s more convenient and less expensive than propane.

Liquid Propane

LP is still an affordable option if you don’t have natural gas access. You’ll need to store it in a tank on your property and receive deliveries as required.

Condensing Boilers

Condensing systems can be used with both natural gas and LP water heaters. Traditional fuel-burning water heaters lose heat by venting toxic gases. Condensing systems minimize that loss by using a second heat exchanger. That makes them more expensive initially but less expensive in the long term.

Uniform Energy Factor

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) use the uniform energy factor (UEF) to rate water heater efficiency. The higher the UEF, the more efficient the system. Note that a higher UEF doesn’t always translate into greater cost-effectiveness. For instance, you must factor in the cost of electricity and fuel when comparing electric and gas models.

ENERGY STAR and Energy Incentives

ENERGY STAR is a joint DOE-EPA program through which water heaters and other appliances can receive certification. A water heater with the ENERGY STAR label gives you confidence in your choice. In addition, it’s often a requirement for rebates and tax credits. Those incentives can significantly reduce your initial investment.

Up-Front Costs

Most homes in the U.S. already have everything needed for an electric or fuel-burning tank water heater. If you stick with what you have, there will be no additional costs. However, if you convert from electric to natural gas, you’ll pay for the gas fitting and parts. If you convert from tank to tankless, there are electrical panel considerations. You may need a new dedicated circuit, surge protection, or even a new panel in an older home.

Long-Term Costs

Hot water demand is an important consideration. In small households, standard electric water heaters can be more cost-effective. In average-size and large households, one of the high-efficiency solutions will usually be more cost-effective. You will pay more for a high-efficiency model up-front. The key for most homeowners is ensuring that the long-term savings exceed the additional initial costs.

Install a New Water Heater in Greater San Antonio

Rosenberg Plumbing & Air has served San Antonio and the surrounding areas since 1994. Our company provides residential and commercial services. Our plumbers install and service all tank-style water heaters as well as tankless types. We perform camera inspections, drain cleaning, and leak detection. Our plumbers handle sewer, septic tank, slab leak repair, gas, water, sewer piping, and repiping. Our team installs and repairs kitchen and bathroom fixtures, sump pumps, and water treatment systems. Our HVAC team specializes in furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners, and ductless mini-splits. We also install and repair ductwork, mechanical ventilation, air purifiers, UV lamps, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers.

Blog