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Perhaps, you’re getting ready to replace your current water heater, or maybe you’re building your home from the ground up. Either way, you have to choose which water heater suits your needs. Each one features benefits and drawbacks, depending on factors such as where you live and the household energy output.

Here are three options to help you make an informed decision:

Storage Tank

The storage tank is the most common water heater, partially because they are inexpensive and also because they’re easy to install. Tanks heat and store anywhere between 30 and 80 gallons of water at a time and are powered by electricity, oil, natural gas, or propane.

These storage tanks also feature gauges, which heat the water whenever it falls below a preset temperature. This means hot water is always at your disposal, but you are paying to heat the liquid continuously. Maintenance includes routine checks of the pressure relief valve, as well as draining and flushing the tank twice a year to remove sediment.

Tankless

water heaterTankless, or instantaneous, water heaters are renowned for their energy efficiency because they do not result in standby heat loss — the liquid is only heated when necessary. They also save space because no tank is required, and they last about five more years than conventional storage options. However, these models move two to five gallons per minute, resulting in a low flow rate and the inability to use more than one appliance requiring heated water at a time. Tankless heaters require professional flushing once or twice a year to prevent sediment from building up.

Solar

These water heaters harness the power of the sun to provide your home with hot water. Ideal for homeowners residing in warm climates, they feature storage tanks and solar collectors. The heaters come in two forms: active and passive.

Active solar options feature either direct circulation systems where the pump pushes water through the collectors and into the tank or indirect circulation systems where the pump moves antifreeze through the collectors and a heat exchanger to heat the water.

Passive models are less expensive. They feature either solar collectors in the tank to heat the water or collectors underneath the tank that force the hot water to rise for homeowner use. Maintenance includes keeping the collectors clean and scheduling professional service about every five years.

Heat Pump

Heat pump water heaters rely on electricity to collect and heat the air, which they use to warm water in their tanks. These options are ideal for warm/hot climates because they take less time to heat the water and are incredibly energy-efficient. Routine air filter cleaning is imperative to keep the heat pump functioning at an optimal level.

 

Discuss your needs with the friendly plumbers at Wild West Plumbing Heating & Drain Service. Proudly serving the Flathead Valley region of Montana, the company offers a full suite of affordable, convenient, and efficient plumbing services. Call (406) 752-1244 to make an appointment, or visit the website for additional information. You can also like the plumbers on Facebook for helpful tips.

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