Installing New Wiring in Your Home

Answering Everyday Questions About Residential Hot Water Heaters

28 February 2018 by June Alvarez

If you're like many homeowners, you probably don't think about the hot water heater in your home until it breaks down and needs repairs, or unless you keep running out of hot water before you're done with your daily shower. Whatever your reasons for needing a new hot water heater, or needing to call a contractor to reassess the one currently in your home, note a few everyday questions you might have about this equipment, and how to choose the right one for your needs. Is an energy-efficient model larger or smaller than standard tanks?

A hot water heater that is labelled as energy-efficient is not necessarily larger or smaller in terms of capacity or actual size. Instead, this type of heater will usually have better insulating materials around the tank, so that the water doesn't cool off and the tank doesn't need to engage the heating coil so often. The heating coil or anode may also be larger so that it can quickly heat a larger tank of water, which also ensures the water doesn't get cool sooner than it should. While an energy-efficient hot water heater may mean paying less for the electricity or gas needed to heat that water, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll then have more or less hot water throughout the day.

What is a "quick recovery" water heater?

A quick recovery hot water heater will usually have two heating elements, one at the top and one at the bottom of the tank. The top element heats fresh water as it fills the tank, allowing all the stored water in the tank to reheat more quickly. If you often run out of hot water while showering, washing dishes, and so on, but don't have room for a larger hot water storage tank, a quick recovery model may be the right choice for you.

Are tankless water heaters always better than a standard tank?

Tankless hot water heaters offer many benefits over a standard tank of hot water, including not heating water that is not in use, and also needing far less storage space for the heating element than a tank requires. These systems are especially good for those who travel often and who don't need to keep heating water even while the home is unoccupied! However, these systems are often more expensive to install than other models, so you may need to consider that cost when making a decision on the right equipment for your home.  

For more information, contact your local hot water systems expert.

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