Hot water heaters are some of the most important appliances in your home because they allow you to have a hot shower, do laundry and operate a dishwasher. There are a number of different types of heaters on the market, so if yours begins to malfunction, you will have a few different options when having it replaced. Make sure that you weigh your options and select the type of water heating system that works the best for you and hire a certified professional to install it.
Storage Water Heater
The most basic and common type of water heater is a storage heater unit. Storage heaters have been used since before the invention of electricity, as people would heat their water using a fire. Today, storage water heaters are heated through a heating coil, which runs on electricity. These units are inexpensive and a heating professional can install it in a matter of hours, which is perhaps why they are found in so many homes.
Tankless Heater
One of the newer types of hot water heaters is a tankless heater, which does not heat water before it is required. When you run a storage water heater, the element heats the water continuously, which makes them less energy efficient. A tankless heater does not store water as it heats, so you never have to pay for the energy used to heat water that you will not use. For this reason, these units are becoming much more popular, as they do save the homeowner money over the life of the heater.
Gas Heater
It is also possible to have a tankless heater that uses propane or gas to heat the water, rather than electricity. These units are actually less expensive to operate than traditional tankless heaters, so they are worth looking into if you can find someone in your area who can install one.
Solar Power
The ultimate in energy efficiency is a solar heater, which uses energy from the sun to heat your water. These units carry water through metal pipes, which are heated by glass panels that have been heated by the sun. Generally speaking, this method does not work very well unless you live in a climate with constant sunlight and even then you run the risk of a cool day leaving you without hot water.
Based in Riverside, California, Best Plumbing Services installs and fixes all types of hot water heaters, in addition to handling other plumbing jobs. For more information or to set up a free estimate, visit their website at Website Domain.
