In all cases, water heaters with the Energy Star rating are the most efficient of their class. There are many different kinds of water heaters available, including those that use gas, electricity, geothermal, or even solar power to heat the water that you’ll need to use in your home. Keep reading to find out which might be the best for you.
Water Heaters With Tanks
When most people think of a water heater, this is what they imagine. Such a water heater includes a tank that holds the water and a system of some kind that heats it. In modern times, they range from roughly 40 gallons up to 100 gallons or more. They tend to be the least expensive to purchase but among the most expensive to run over time. Generally, they’re heated by either gas or electricity.
Tankless Water Heaters
Rather than having a tank that holds water until it’s used, these provide a flow of water on demand. They normally heat the water by the same method as conventional water heaters with tanks, but some newer models may be attached to a heat pump. They cost a bit to buy in the beginning, but their operating costs are much lower than those of water heaters with tanks.
Solar Water Heaters
Florida is the “Sunshine State,” so this kind of water heater makes sense for homeowners here. Harnessing the power of the sun means that you never have to worry about shortages or price hikes for that energy. However, most solar water heaters only provide part of the hot water for the home. Each of them has what’s known as a “solar fraction” rating. Normally, this is between 0.5 and 0.75, which means that the solar water heater provides between half and three-quarters of the home’s hot water. Each solar water heater also has a rating called the “solar energy factor.” To determine this number, take the amount of solar energy the system uses and then divide it by the amount of energy provided by standard sources, such as electricity and gas. The SEF ranges from 1 to 11. Bigger numbers indicate better efficiency. Most solar water heaters have an SEF of 2 or 3. Having such a water heater will generally reduce your monthly bill by between 50% and 80%.
Geothermal Water Heaters
Geothermal water heaters use a heat pump that takes the heat from the soil and transfers it to the water before pumping it into your home. Generally, they’ll be built into a geothermal HVAC system, but they can stand alone too. You can also choose to add such a heat pump to your conventional water heater with a tank, which will make that system more efficient than it would be with gas or electric heating power. These water heaters also make sense for people in Florida because they don’t operate well in cold weather. In fact, they tend to cool the air around them when they operate, so they can contribute to the climate control of your home.
We Know Our Stuff
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, our decades of experience serve us well when we recommend an efficient water heater for your house. Through our commitment to excellence, we’ve earned not only an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau but also an A+ rating. To get help with selecting a new water heater, give us a call to set up an appointment today.