Electric hot water systems aren't complicated devices. Water enters the tank at one side and is then heated by multiple electric resistance elements that sit on one side of the tank while extending to the middle of the water. The water leaves the other side of the tank on demand.
When it comes to installation, however, things aren't quite that simple. It involves electrical work and plumbing, which may deter some people from installing an electrical water heater themselves. That explains why some homeowners leave hot water system installation to the professionals.
The service you receive depends on the type of system you have installed. Here are the different types of hot water systems available to you as a homeowner.
Tank-type water heater
A tank-type water heater stores hot water, making it available as and when needed. It can rely on either electricity, fuel oil, propane or natural gas as a source of heat. The heating is controlled by a thermostat in the tank to maintain a constant temperature. Standby heat loss is reduced by insulation around the tank. A typical size of a tank in a household is 50-80 gallons.
Heat pump water heater
A heat pump water heater is powered by electricity. An air-source pump sits on top of the hot water tank and pumps out a pressurised refrigerant compound into a heat exchanger in or around the tank. This type of heater is more costly than a regular tank-type water heater, although it provides around twice the amount of energy.
Tankless water heater
A tankless water heater is efficient and compact. It's also referred to as a "demand" heater, as the heating element is only active when it receives a demand for hot water. Most of these heaters use either natural gas or propane as their heat source. A tankless water heater can significantly reduce water heating costs in households that don't use hot water frequently.
Indirect water heater
An indirect water heater uses heat from a boiler. In a house that uses a hydronic heating system, the boiler that provides hot water to heat the entire home can sometimes supply hot water for domestic purposes as well.
Reduce your energy costs
It's been estimated that the cost of running hot water accounts for 20% or more of a family's energy expenses. If you'd like to reduce your energy bill, give some thought to a high-efficiency hot water system. While it may require a higher cost upfront, it will save you a lot of money down the line.
For more information, contact a company such as Booth Contracting.