When it comes to water heaters and water heater repair in Grand Rapids, MI, this is definitely the site that you want to be reading. Why? Because the contact information for some of the best water heater technicians around is all over it! We are not going to get into the various problems that different water heaters may encounter that would necessitate repairs in today’s post, though. Instead, we’ll be helping you to lay the groundwork for deciding which water heater is right for your home.
If you think that a standard tank water heater is the only option available, or that it is definitely the right one for your home solely because you’ve always used this type of water heater, think again! While all water heaters serve the same basic function of heating water, they can differ in many aspects of design and operation. To determine which is the best fit for your home and needs, you’ll want to explore available options fully.
We Don’t Want You to Write Off Tank Water Heaters, Of Course
When we start suggesting that there are other water heater options that may be better for certain homes and homeowners than the tank water heater would be, some people translate that to “trust us, the tank water heater is done.” Trust us—this is not the case! Modern tank water heaters are, if anything, better than ever!
They are more affordable than the other options that we’ll cover—at least in terms of initial cost—and they can really stand up to very heavy hot water demand, provided that they are properly sized for the type of demand that you’ll be putting on the system regualrly.
Standby energy loss in tank water heaters has not been entirely eliminated, though. When you store hot water in a tank, some of the heat from that water will transfer through the tank and into the air surrounding it. There’s just no avoiding this reality. Yes, modern tanks are more efficient, but it’s still worth considering. Which brings us to our next point.
Tankless Water Heaters: Worth the Price?
For some, yes! Why do we bring up price right off the bat? Because it’s the first thing that homeowners doing some preliminary research on their water heater options are likely to notice when it comes to tankless water heaters. They are substantially more expensive than tank water heaters. So why bother? Long term savings, that’s why.
Tankless water heaters heat only the water that you need, as you need it. They don’t store hot water in tanks, so there is no risk of energy loss through the tank. They also last a lot longer than standard tank water heaters, in the 20-25 year range. That, combined with the energy savings, can offset the initial investment and result in decreased operating costs over the years.
Indirect Water Heating
You heat your home, right? Why not use that same heater to heat water for use throughout your house. If that sounds simple, well, it is. But it is also effective and, in many cases, the indirect water heater is the most efficient way to heat water.
If you use a boiler or furnace, the heat from that system is used to heat a heat transfer fluid that circulates through a coil in the water tank. You won’t be paying any more for hot water in the summer than you otherwise would, and you’ll be saving money when you heat your home, anyway!
