When was the last time you thought about your home’s water heater? Often, homeowners only consider the status of their hot water system when their showers start running cold. But the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has found that water heaters account for about 18% of a home’s energy use.
If yours is reaching the end of its lifespan (typically around 8 to 12 years), the Needham Oil Complete Heating & Cooling team can help. We perform countless water heater installations in Middlesex and Norfolk Counties. Here’s a rundown of some of your water heater replacement options.
When most people envision a water heater, they think of these storage tank models. Traditional water heaters have a tank that’s typically in the range of 36 to 46 gallons for a single-family home. The unit keeps this tank of water heated for use throughout the house.
Storage tank water heaters are generally the most affordable hot water systems to install. However, they are less efficient than some other systems because they heat water regardless of whether you need it. The extra energy heating unused water is called a “standby loss.”
Indirect-fired water heaters heat water from a coil that passes through your home’s boiler. These systems require a boiler and can be expensive to install. With that said, indirect-fired water heaters have significant benefits, like an extremely long lifespan. When you pair an indirect-fired water heater with high-efficiency oil-fired heating equipment, you can get some of the lowest-cost hot water possible!
You can ditch the storage tank altogether with an on-demand hot water system. Tankless systems heat water whenever a hot-water fixture or appliance needs it.
Tankless systems have considerable benefits, even though they tend to have higher upfront costs than traditional water heaters. You can enjoy virtually unlimited hot water on demand, even when you’re running a shower and dishwasher simultaneously. Also, you avoid the “standby losses” that come with heating and reheating a tank of water. This energy efficiency (up to 34% more efficient than storage tank units, according to the DOE) will lower your operating costs and quickly recoup the extra installation expense.
One of the newest hot water products is the hybrid water heater. These electric systems use heat pump technology to move heat from one place to another instead of generating it like a traditional water heater. However, these units automatically switch to standard electric resistance heat when there’s higher-than-normal demand in your home.
The DOE has found that heat pump water heaters are two to three times more efficient than traditional products. Many have additional settings to monitor hot water usage and make energy-saving adjustments.
When you choose Needham Oil Complete Heating & Cooling for your water heater replacement, you can feel confident that the job will be done right. We guarantee all our work. Our team of expert technicians is available for years to come when you need water heater maintenance or repairs.
We want to help you find the perfect water heater for your home and family. Contact us for a FREE estimate.