How to Choose a Water Heater
A water heater will affect your level of comfort and energy costs in your home. Depending on the number of people you live with, you need a water heater that will serve you comfortably without spiking up your energy bills. Therefore, it helps to pick the right water heater for you and your family’s needs. But how can you pick the right water heater with so many options in the market? Below, McQuillan Bros explains how to choose a water heater for your home.
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Types of Water Heater
There are different types of water heaters available. The two most common water heaters are tankless water heaters and tank-style water heaters.
Tankless water heaters are designed to provide water on demand. That is why they are also called on-demand water heaters. They do not carry a storage tank, which greatly reduces the amount of space they will take up in your house.
Tankless water heaters are less expensive than their tank-style counterparts and more efficient in terms of energy consumption. Also, they carry with them a longer lifespan of up to 20 years.
Tank-style water heaters are the more traditional heaters that come with a tank usually made of a large metallic cylinder with a capacity of 40-60 gallons. They take up space, and water has to be heated in advance before it is used. The water is then stored to be used as needed.
Fuel Type
The kind of fuel you use is another factor you should consider. Different types of fuels can be used to heat your water. They include:
- Liquid Propane. Heaters that use liquid propane as a fuel for heating require a complete setup with proper venting. They are usually used for tank-style water heaters and require frequent fuel deliveries depending on the frequency of use.
- Oil. Oil-water heaters are also suited for tank-style water heaters. They are reliable for long time operation and are known to heat water faster.
- Electricity. Most heaters that use electricity to heat water are tankless water heaters, say our friends at Headwaters Construction Inc., a general contracting company in Sacramento. There is no need for special venting. Electric water heaters, however, spend more energy compared to other sources of energy.
- Natural Gas. These are some of the most common forms of water heaters available in the market. Heaters that use natural gas heat water faster and can be found in different sizes and models. You will, however, need to create special ventilation for this kind of fuel.
Firing Mechanism
Further, water heaters come in two more different categories based on the firing mechanism. That is, how directly or indirectly water is heated. Here, water heaters are divided into direct-fired water heaters and indirect-fired water heaters.
With direct home water heaters, the water in the tank is directly heated by the flame. There is, usually, a combustion chamber under the storage tank where the fuel will heat the water. You will likely see these units in homes that have warm air furnaces.
In Indirect-fired water heaters, the water coming from the furnace or boiler is heated by being transferred through a heat exchanger in the storage tank. Indirect-fired water heaters turn on and off less often because the storage tank has the ability to store energy for longer periods of time.
Get the Best Water Heater Installation
You can pick the right water heater for your home by contacting McQuillan Bros. Not only do we do water heater maintenance, but we also help homeowners with water heater installation in St. Paul, MN. So, call us today for a free estimate on your new tankless water heater. We provide other 24/7 home services in Twin Cities and beyond.
