Which Water Heater Is Right For You?

Nothing relaxes like a hot bath after a long day. You dip your toe in the water and…brrr! It’s ice-cold! It’s time to take a look at your water heater. 

Most people don’t think about their water heater until it stops working. 

How do you know when it’s time to repair or replace? Do you know how your water heater operates? What’s involved in a water heater installation? 

Keep reading to find out what you need to know about water heaters. 

What Are the Different Types of Water Heaters and How Do They Work?

Finding the right water heater for your home depends on energy source, size, cost, and personal preference. Let’s take a look at the different types and styles available and how they work. 

How They Work 

Most water heaters are powered by natural gas or electricity. Gas and electric water heaters operate in a similar way. Water heaters draw in cold water from your home’s water line to the bottom of the tank. A heating element inside the tank is activated by natural gas, oil, propane, solar energy, or electricity.   

The cold water warms up as it’s exposed to the heating element and rises. You can set the thermostat on your water heater to your desired temperature. Hot water stays in the tank ready for use. Once you turn on your faucet, new cold water enters and displaces the hot water at the top of the tank.  

Tankless water heaters contain similar gas or electric heating elements. However, tankless water heaters don’t have water storage capacity. The water is heated as it runs through the heating elements.

Tank or Tankless 

Tank water heaters use a tank to heat and store water. By storing water in a tank, it’s ready to be used at any time. If all the hot water in the tank is used, homeowners have to wait for the water heater to reheat the tank. 

Tankless or on-demand  water heaters do not have a tank or reservoir to hold water. Tankless heaters heat the water as it comes through. Those enjoying tankless hot water heaters never have to worry about using up all the hot water. 

Power Sources 

Gas water heaters are powered by natural gas, propane, or fuel oil. Usually, the homeowner will decide to use the same source which heats the home. Gas water heaters connect to your home’s gas line. Gas water heaters need to vent outside the home as they contain toxic gasses such as carbon monoxide.

An electric water heater is powered by plugging into your home’s electrical source. Using electricity eliminates the need for a pilot light, chimney, and vent. Electric water heaters do not need to vent outside because they don’t emit dangerous fumes.   

Heat pump powered water heaters gather surrounding heat inside. Some heat pump water heaters use geothermal energy to operate. While not as common, some water heaters are powered by solar energy. 

Point Of Use 

Point of use water heaters are usually small and only connected to one or two sources. These are typically electric and tankless and do not heat the entire home water supply.

What Are the Different Components of a Water Heater? 

While brands, sizes, and styles vary, water heaters have the same basic components. Here are a few of the major ones. 

What Are the Benefits of Each of the Different Types of Water Heaters?

With so many options, water heater selection may seem overwhelming. By exploring the pros and cons of each water heater, you can decide which is the best fit for your home. And our team can help you choose! 

Gas v. Electric

Gas water heaters have a slightly higher price tag than their electric counterparts. However, gas-powered water heaters are more efficient. By saving on energy costs, the price difference is usually made up in one year.

Electric water heaters can help you save on initial purchase and installation costs. However, electric water heaters are more expensive in the long-run as they aren’t as energy-efficient. When purchasing an electric water heater, look for more energy-efficient models to help lower operating costs.

Tankless v. Tank

Homeowners wanting to save space will enjoy the convenience of tankless water heaters. At an average size of 20″ by 28″ by 10″, they are great space savers! 

Since tankless water heaters heat water as it moves through, homeowners don’t need to worry about running out of hot water. The size of your tankless unit will determine how much water it can heat at a time which may or may not slow your hot water output. 

Homeowners will have to pay quite a bit more for tankless water heaters. A large tankless system can cost you twice as much as a water heater with a tank. 

Tank water heaters provide a cost-efficient option for homeowners. A standard 40-gallon tank water heater measures 60″ tall and 24″ around. If you’ve got the space to spare, tank water heaters are friendlier on the pocketbook.

What’s the Water Heater Installation Process?

Water heater installation cost ranges anywhere from $1,800 to $6,500. The average homeowner will pay about $2,500 for their water heater installation. Here’s a closer look at what it takes to have water heaters installed.

Gas Tank Water Heaters

Before starting your water heater installation project, a permit should be obtained from the County or the City you live in. The gas and water lines should be closed using the appropriate valves. First, two copper pipes must be fitted on top of the unit and connected to the home’s water lines. Next, the vent pipe should be connected on top of the unit and lead outside.  

After that, the gas line is connected to the thermostat through a steel pipe. Then, the unit must be filled and inspected for any gas or water leaks. Finally, the pilot light is lit and your water heater is ready to have a County or City Inspector come out and look it over. 

Most gas water heater installations are best left to professionals. If you take this home improvement project on yourself, follow plumbing codes, municipal, and manufacturer guidelines.  

Electric Tank Water Heaters

Most Counties or Cities do not require a permit for electric water heater replacements. You should check with you local plumbing code enforcement office.  

Make sure the electrical current is cut by using the corresponding switch on the home’s circuit breaker. The water valve should also be turned off before the electric water heater installation begins. 

Using the junction box, the new unit connects to the ground wire. Next, all other wires connect to one another. Hot and cold-water lines are then connected with those in the home’s water system. 

The water can now be turned on. After checking for any leaks, continue to fill until the tank is full and the unit is ready to have the power turned back on to it.  

Gas and Tankless Water Heaters

Obtain a permit from the County or City you live in.

Gas tankless water heaters require an updated gas line and proper gas line connections and they also require an electrical outlet. If that’s not familiar to the installer, a professional should be consulted.

The unit needs to be mounted using a mounting box or similar structure. Next, the gas lines need to connect followed by the water lines. The pressure relief valve is then installed. Finally, the exhaust vent is connected to direct fumes outside of the house. The water should be turned back on and faucets run to get debris out of the filter. After turning off faucets, the filter is cleaned of debris and placed back in the unit. The gas line valve can be opened and the power turned on and then the water heater is ready to have a County or City inspector come out and look it over.

Electric Tankless Water Heaters

These follow a similar process as gas tankless water heaters. Instead of utilizing gas lines, installers can make electrical connections. The electrical system will need to be upgraded to meet the electrical requirements of the tankless water heater.  

If homeowners aren’t experienced with home improvement projects involving gas and water lines, it’s best to have water heaters professionally installed. 

When Should I Replace My Water Heater?

Tank water heaters typically last about 8 to 12 years. If your traditional tank water heater is over 10 years old and has needed more than two repairs, it’s more cost-effective to replace rather than a water heater repair. 

Homeowners can expect tankless water heaters to last up to 20 years. If you are having problems with a tankless water heater over 18 years old, it’s time to replace it.  

Water Heater Maintenance

Here are some examples of common water heater noises and what they might mean. 

• New noises made by your water heater can mean  sediment build up. Annual flushing by a professional can help correct minor sediment build up. 
• Rusty or discolored water is a sign there’s rust in your water heater. This could mean a simple part replacement or a sign of a larger problem. Ask us to help you decide which it is. 
• No hot water means your unit isn’t heating. To find out why, contact  Atomic Plumbing. This could be a problem with the thermostat or heating element.  
• Water leaking from the unit means one of two things. If a connecting pipe is loose, it’s an easy fix. Leaking could be a sign your water heater is corroding, which will require replacing it. 

The Wonderful World of Water Heaters

If you’re considering a water heater for your next home improvement project let us help. We’d love to partner with you to select the right unit for your household. We do water heater installation and water heater repair.   

Not sure if you should repair or replace? Our professionals can help you decide which option is best for you. Give us a call today!