We Can Help You Choose the Water Heater That’s Right for You
When our households have plenty of hot water to shower, bathe, clean our clothes and wash our dishes, we seldom think about the hardworking appliance that makes it all possible—the trusty hot water heater. If you have a traditional water heater and it is at least 10 years old, you might want to consider replacing it before it conks out on you unexpectedly.
But which system is best for you and your family—traditional, tankless or heat pump (hybrid)? Our team of experienced Indianapolis plumbers know the pros and cons of each system and can help you make the decision that is right for your unique home and your specific needs.
Traditional Water Heater
A traditional water heater, which is the most common, stores water in an insulated tank, where it is heated up and ready when needed. Hot water is released through a pipe on the top of the tank into your home’s plumbing system. These systems can be electric or gas. Although the upfront cost of an electric system is lower, most gas versions use less energy, costing about half as much to run.
If you choose a traditional water heater, we will help make sure the tank is large enough to handle your family’s hot water needs. Larger capacity tanks are the smart choice for bigger households with greater hot water demands.
Advantages:
- Traditional hot water heaters cost less than tankless units and are usually less expensive to install.
- When you opt for a high-capacity unit, they are a great option for larger families.
Disadvantages:
- They last about six to 10 years compared with heat pump units (13 to 15 years) and tankless systems (up to 20 years).
- They are not as energy efficient as tankless systems.
- Due to federal regulations that have improved efficiency, the width or height of your new unit may be larger. As a result, your new model may not fit in the same space as your old unit.
Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters heat up water as it travels through the unit. You can choose gas or electric models. Large families with high hot water demands should choose models with a higher gallons-per-minute (GPM) rating.
Advantages:
- They are more energy efficient than traditional units with tanks.
- They take up much less space.
- They last the longest of the three options—up to 20 years.
- They may qualify for certain utility rebates. Check with your local provider.
Disadvantages:
- Tankless systems typically cost more to buy (and install).
- Large families may need more than one unit to meet their hot water demands.
Heat Pump (Hybrid) Water Heater
This system contains a tank on the bottom and a heat pump on top. It does not generate heat directly. Instead, it uses electricity to move heat from the air to your water.
Advantages:
- A heat pump is two to three times more efficient than a traditional electric water heater, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Heat pumps use 50% less energy than traditional electric water heaters.
- They cost less to operate than traditional units.
- They dehumidify and cool your indoor space.
- They can be adjusted to meet the needs of larger families by changing the setting to “hybrid” or “high-demand” mode. This allows the system to provide enough hot water during periods of high use.
- They last longer than traditional units—13 to 15 years compared to eight to 12 years.
- They may qualify for certain utility rebates. Check with your local provider.
Disadvantages:
- If you have low ceilings, a heat pump may not be the right option because of the pump’s location at the top of the unit.
- They don’t operate well in spaces where temperatures get lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- They need at least 1,000 cubic feet of surrounding air to draw ample heat.
- They are less efficient if located in spaces less than 12-foot by 12-foot.
- They do not last as long as tankless units.
You can count on Complete Comfort to help you sort through the pros and cons of each system and zero in on the unit that makes the most sense for your comfort needs and budget. In addition to our seamless installations, our Indianapolis area water heater repairs are reliable and affordable.
Contact us at Complete Comfort Heating Air & Plumbing in Greenwood, IN, today for more information on heating, air conditioning & plumbing service. Call us at (317) 648-5133.
Author Bio:
Brittany Katterjohn
Brittany is a marketer, entrepreneur, and writer with previous business development experience in the home maintenance industry. She currently manages the marketing for Complete Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing and has a passion for helping people by simplifying seemingly complicated topics related to home maintenance and repair. Connect with her on LinkedIn
