Your Essential Guide to Hot Water Tanks and Water Heating Systems

Naturally, when you build a new home installing a suitable water heating system is one of your prime concerns. With such a variety of options currently available you may find yourself at a loss to figure out which one to choose. You got to ponder a host of factors before selecting a new water heater for your home.

You certainly want a water heating system that will not only provide enough hot water when you want but will also be energy efficient. While considering different types of water heaters available in the contemporary market you will have to take into account their size and fuel source. The following types of water heaters are currently in use:
Conventional Storage Water Heaters: It remains the most common type of water heating system for home. A single-family storage water heater is a ready reservoir of hot water with a capacity ranging from 20 to 80 gallons. Its fuel sources include natural gas, propane, fuel oil, and electricity. Remember, the lowest-priced storage water heater may be the most expensive to operate and maintain during its lifetime. Though an oversized unit may easily catch your fancy, it carries a higher purchase price and increased energy costs due to considerably higher standby energy losses.

Tankless water heater: Unlike conventional storage tank water heaters, a tankless water heater starts to heat water as soon as you turn it on. It has a heating device that is activated by the flow of water when the hot water valve is turned on. Once it gets activated, the heater supplies hot water without interruption.

Heat pump water heaters: They are mostly used to heat or cool homes. However, a heat pump can also be used to heat water either as stand-alone water heating system or as a combination of water heating and space conditioning system. This device uses electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. No wonder, they are usually two to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric resistance water heaters. As a matter of fact, heat pumps work like a refrigerator in reverse in order to move the heat.

Solar water heaters: A solar water heating system consists of a storage tank and solar collectors to absorb the heat from the sunlight. The active solar water heating systems have circulating pumps and controls where as the passive solar water heating systems don't have such provision. They are also known as solar domestic hot water systems. By virtue of using nature's free gift of sunshine they are arguably the most cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. With varying efficiency they can be used in all climates.

Tankless coil and indirect water heaters: They use a home's space heating system to heat water. They're technically part of integrated or combination water and space heating systems.

While choosing the most suitable type and model of water heater for your home you must consider the fuel type or energy source required for heating the water as it will not only affect the water heater's annual operational costs but also its size and energy efficiency. Choose an appropriate size capable of providing your household with enough hot water with optimal efficiency. Carefully study how energy efficient the water heater is before buying it. Last but not least, don't forget to estimate its annual operating costs and compare those costs with other less or more energy-efficient models.

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