Your Water Heater Denver is a vital part of your home. It’s essential to understand how it works before your heater fails and you’re left with cold showers and a useless dishwasher.
Most traditional models have an insulated tank that holds hot water until it’s needed. They can run on electricity, gas, propane, or fuel oil.
Traditional tank water heaters – also known as conventional water heaters — use an insulated storage tank to heat and store water until needed. They can be powered by either gas or electricity. These heaters are typically the most affordable option, and they can be a good fit for homes that use a lot of hot water. However, they have some drawbacks.
Most conventional gas and electric tank heaters use a sensor that reads the temperature of the water inside the tank, turning on the burner only when the water dips below a set threshold. This means that energy is used to heat water all day, even when you’re not using it – and this can add up to quite a bit of wasted money.
You can reduce the amount of energy your heaters consume by adding an extra layer of insulation between the tank’s outer steel jacket and its inner storage tank. This will help to prevent the heat from escaping out of the tank, and it’s an easy project that most homeowners can do themselves. You can also increase the efficiency of these units by choosing a gas-powered unit with a higher energy-efficiency factor.
If you use a conventional water heater, check its pressure and temperature-relief valve regularly to ensure it’s working properly. The valve, usually located at the top of the tank, should be red and clearly labeled, and it will release hot water when the temperature or pressure rises above preset limits.
Another option is to replace your conventional water heater with a newer, more efficient model that uses less energy and costs significantly less to operate than a traditional tank heater. The experts can answer any questions you may have about selecting the best water heater for your needs, and they’re always happy to install it for you too! They can even help you get your energy bills under control by teaching you how to better monitor your home’s consumption of electricity and natural gas. Contact them today to schedule an appointment!
Tankless heaters
Tankless heaters heat water on demand instead of storing it. When you turn on the hot-water tap, a flow sensor detects water passing through the line and signals the control panel to start heating it. The heat exchanger quickly warms the water, then it passes through a mixing valve to temper the temperature of the superheated water before it enters the faucet.
The units are very energy efficient, producing up to 24% to 34% more energy savings than storage tanks. They are also much smaller and can be installed in locations that would not accommodate large storage tanks, such as in attics, closets, basements, garages, and even outdoors. However, you should be aware that tankless heaters require a gas or propane supply and a venting system. If you’re considering one of these systems, consult a professional plumber for proper installation.
These units can last up to 20 years, which is twice as long as a traditional tank-style heater. However, they may require more maintenance because they don’t have a reservoir to hold gallons of water.
Since they don’t store gallons of water, they can’t leak or harbor Legionella bacteria. They also can’t be affected by power outages, fire, or earthquakes, and they can save space because they are compact and mount to a wall.
Many tankless models are available in both gas and electric versions, so you can choose the type that best meets your budget. Generally, the higher-priced models have greater capacity and can deliver more hot water at once.
Unlike storage tanks, tankless models don’t have a physical hot-water reservoir, but they do need to be flushed periodically to remove mineral buildup. Your plumber can tell you how often it’s recommended to have this done, as well as help you calculate the size model that will be right for your home.
The most popular tankless models are made by Rinnai, Rheem, and Bosch. They’re usually marketed for their efficiency and convenience, and they can produce enough hot water to meet the demands of most households. They’re available at plumbing supply stores, big-box retailers, and online retailers.
Electric heaters
Electric heaters are used throughout industrial and consumer products to heat all types of liquids, gases, vapors and solids. They are ideal for annealing, heat treating and melting process fluids in many industries. Industrial electric heaters are typically higher wattages than household models.
In household use, there are two main types of heaters: conventional tank-type models and on-demand models without a bulky storage tank. Tank-type models are popular in North American and Southern Asian households, as they can be powered by electricity, natural gas or heating oil. They can also be made energy-efficient with a high Energy Factor rating. However, this type of heater can be less efficient if it is not properly maintained and may need to be replaced after years of service.
If you are looking for a heater that is portable and easy to install, you should consider an electric model. These heaters come in a variety of sizes based on wattage, so you can find one that fits your specific needs. These models are a great option for homes with limited space as they do not require ducting. They are also a good choice for temporary applications such as remodeling or construction sites, as they do not emit any harmful fumes.
Most electric heaters are manufactured with safety in mind, but they do not come with any waterproofing. As a result, they are not a good choice for places where you may be working in the water or near a source of water. Some models, such as the Lasko model, even have an explicit warning in their instruction manual that you should not place it near water.
In addition to being convenient and easy to install, electric heaters are economical and efficient. They can be used in a variety of applications, including residential and commercial settings. They use a process called electrical resistance to produce heat. This heat is then transferred to the air by convection or radiation. They are more expensive than other types of heaters, but they provide a quick and effective way to heat your home or business.
Gas heaters
Gas heaters work the same way as electric ones do, except that they use natural gas rather than electricity. They have insulated tanks that store water at the ideal temperature, and their thermostats constantly monitor the tank’s readings. When readings drop below pre-set levels, the system kicks in and heats water back up to optimum temperatures. They’re a good choice for homes that have access to natural gas and live in cold climates.
They also cost less to operate, since gas is typically cheaper than electricity. However, their upfront costs are higher than electric models. A large household might require a 100-gallon tank, which can be a significant investment for some homeowners.
If your budget is limited, consider a point-of-use model instead. These smaller units have a small footprint and plug directly into a wall, so they take up much less space than conventional tank models. They also don’t produce any standing heat, so they can save you up to 25 percent on energy bills.
Another option is a high-efficiency condensing gas heater, which funnels heated exhaust gases into the tank to further heat water and reduce its energy consumption. The unit converts up to 98% of its fuel into usable heat, so it doesn’t generate any carbon monoxide or other harmful byproducts. These models are available in a variety of sizes, and some can be installed in homes with existing natural-gas systems.
Regardless of which type of heater you choose, you’ll want to have a professional install it and inspect your home’s plumbing for leaks or other issues on a regular basis. This preventive maintenance can help extend the lifespan of your appliance, and can identify problems before they develop into serious problems that affect your quality of life.
The good news is that most appliances have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years, which makes it easy to decide when you should replace yours. Keeping up with routine maintenance is the best way to prolong its lifespan, though.