Thinking about replacing your water heater? Or, maybe you’re building a new home and you want a water heater perfect the space and your family’s needs.
Either way, you now have a wider range of choices than ever before, much of that inspired by a recent federal program that mandates certain minimum energy standards for all new water heaters that exceed those of earlier models.
Here’s a look at two of your current water heater options:
Gas Condensing Water Heaters – Rather than venting natural or propane gas through the system’s flue, the gas is reclaimed allowing the same amount of gas to heat added quantities of water. That improves energy efficiency, cuts down on greenhouse emissions, and will help you save about $100 per year in water heater energy costs.
Electric Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heaters – Think of a refrigerator working in reverse, and then you’ll grasp the concept of an electric hybrid water heater: the next generation of electric storage tank water heaters. The heat pump component of a hybrid system draws warm, ambient air from the space around it to assist in heating the water inside the storage tank. The net result? You can expect to save more than $350 per year in water heater operating costs.
If you want a gas storage tank water heater with more than 55 gallons of storage capacity, gas condensing models are now your only option, although you can skip the storage tank and go with a gas tankless system. Here are just a few reasons to give a tankless water heater a second and third thought:
- Frees up more storage space by eliminating the need for a storage tank
- The system’s wall mounted heat exchanger heats only as much water as you need at any one time
- Significant energy savings
- Longer system lifespan than storage tank models – up to 20 years+
- Whole-house and single-purpose options available
There’s a lot to learn and like about today’s water heater options, and Connor Plumbing is here to help you navigate your choices. Contact us today for a free in-home needs analysis and new system proposal, during which we’ll answer all your question en route to helping you choose what’s best for your home, family and budget.
