Hot water is something we take for granted until we wake up one morning and all you get for your shower is cold water. In this article, we learn about the importance of water heaters, how they work, and which type of water heater is right for you.
What is a Water Heater?
But, first, let’s discuss what a water heater is. A water heater, as the name suggests, is a device that heats water for the home. Any time you turn on the left tap you expect hot water to be produced from your unit. But even if it isn’t working, you might not need to buy a new one right away!
The water heater works by filling the tank with water. As the tank fills, the built-in thermostat measures the temperature of the water. Once the water reaches the right temperature it maintains that heat so you can continually use hot water in your house.
Below, we will weigh the pros and cons of each type of water heater. If this is something that interests you we invite you to continue reading to learn which water heater is right for you.
Which Water Heater is Right for Me?
Propane Gas Water Heater
Lorne Soderholm, the technician at SmileHVAC.ca argues that The propane gas water heater is a popular choice for homeowners as it’s known for its quick heat up time.
Propane is a clean-burning gas and as a result, it’s more environmentally friendly compared to natural gas. But to take full advantage of its benefits, you’ll want to find the best propane pricing. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this type.
Pros:
- Quick heat-up time
- Environmentally friendly
- Works without power.
Cons:
- Expensive installation compared to an electric water heater.
- Natural Gas Water Heaters
- Like the Propane water heater, natural gas is a popular option for new homeowners.
Natural Gas Water Heater
Like a propane gas water heater, natural gas is a popular choice among new homeowners. Natural gas is safe for the home and is environmentally friendly.
Pros:
- Quick heat-up time
- Costs less monthly than an electric water heater
Cons:
- Expensive to initially set up as the water heater requires an intake vent to operate. After initial installation, the cost to operate is less expensive than an electric water heater year to year.
Electric Water Heater
Electric water heaters are a new popular technology as they do not require gas to operate. Generally, they’re smaller in size, and thanks to the technology, as long as they remain running, they will never run out of hot water.
Pros:
- Never run out of hot water
- Easy installation
- Smaller size
- Cheaper than installing a gas-powered heater
Cons:
- The cost of running an electric heater is generally more than running a gas heater.
- The heater relies on electricity, this means if the power goes out, so does the heater.
Tankless Water Heater
The tankless water heater is the smallest of the four as it’s a small unit installed in the wall.
The huge benefit of this type is the space it allows. You can install it in even the tightest of spaces. Thanks to the technology of the tankless heater, hot water on demand is now yours.
Pros:
- Instant hot water
- Lasts almost twice as long as traditional water heaters
- Uses less electricity than traditional electric water heaters.
- Great for smaller spaces
- Great for first-time homeowners.
Cons:
- Inconsistent hot water for larger homes
- Expensive up-front cost
- If serving more than one faucet at a time, it generally doesn’t work as well.
- Does not work without electricity.
Use these tips to get the best water heater for your home. If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments below. You will also find below, several links to take you to more fascinating articles about ALL things DESIGN.
Images Courtesy of Canva.
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About the Author: Ashley Edwards
