What kind of water heater is right for you?
Not all water heaters are created equal.
It’s important to consider what you and your family’s needs are when looking for a new water heater.
We can suit your needs whether you're looking for a gas or an electric tank heater.
These are the major types of water heaters, each designed for specific spaces within a home or business:
Atmospheric Water Heaters
These water heaters are the most common residential natural gas water heaters, and, as the name suggests, the hot exhaust is vented either vertically or sloped upwards.
These systems will provide inadequate or no hot water when there is a faulty control valve, thermostat, or heating element. It may also fail if there is a buildup of contaminants or sediment. Often, homeowners find that their atmospheric water heater is no longer adequate to meet their demands and need to look at higher capacity, more energy efficient systems.
Power Vent Water Heaters
Power vent water heaters, like atmospheric water heaters, also rely on natural gas to heat the water, but these use venting that requires an additional airflow mechanism to assist in blowing the hot air through the vent.
The powered venting system can run horizontally and doesn’t require indoor air for combustion. As a result, these are typically used when the space to install a water heater is far from the home’s venting system, from a wall, and when there is improper air for combustion. Similar problems as with atmospheric water heaters can arise with power vent heaters.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters, also known as point-of-use water heaters, are water heaters that do not require a storage tank. When the tap is turned on, the water is heated as it passes through the heater.
Because tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan than traditional storage tank heaters, many of our clients choose to upgrade when they are ready to replace their old tank heater. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, they’ll never run out of hot water. Additionally, they are highly energy-efficient meaning they save money in the long run and you may be eligible for a rebate.
Electric Water Heaters
Beginning on January 1, 2022, you won’t be able to get electric water heaters that have a tank 55 gallons or bigger. This change is due to incoming regulation enforcement from the Department of Energy.
If you’ve been using an electric water heater that’s 55 gallons or more and need a replacement, you’ll have to switch to something else. Our recommendation is to get a heat pump water heater. Heat pump water heaters also run on electricity, are highly energy-efficient, and an overall excellent option to replace your electric water heater.
You can learn more about heat water heaters on this page or you can read about the differences between electric and heat pump water heaters in this blog.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Heat pump (sometimes called hybrid) water heaters are among the most efficient that you can get on the market. That means that you may be able to see big savings on your energy bill and a potential rebate for your new heat pump water heater.
Powered by electricity, they work by taking the heat from the room they're in and using it to heat water in the tank. You can think of it as a big heat sponge that sucks up the residual heat in the room and concentrates it to make the water much hotter than the room was originally.
Atmospheric Water Heaters
These water heaters are the most common residential gas water heaters, and, as the name suggests, the hot exhaust is vented either vertically or sloped upwards.
These systems will provide inadequate or no hot water when there is a faulty control valve, thermostat, or heating element. It may fail too if there is a buildup of contaminants or sediment. Often, homeowners find that their atmospheric water heater is no longer adequate to meet their demands and need to look at higher capacity systems.
Power Vent Water Heaters
These water heaters are the most common residential gas water heaters, and, as the name suggests, the hot exhaust is vented either vertically or sloped upwards.
These systems will provide inadequate or no hot water when there is a faulty control valve, thermostat, or heating element. It may fail too if there is a buildup of contaminants or sediment. Often, homeowners find that their atmospheric water heater is no longer adequate to meet their demands and need to look at higher capacity systems.
Tankless Water Heaters
These water heaters are the most common residential gas water heaters, and, as the name suggests, the hot exhaust is vented either vertically or sloped upwards.
These systems will provide inadequate or no hot water when there is a faulty control valve, thermostat, or heating element. It may fail too if there is a buildup of contaminants or sediment. Often, homeowners find that their atmospheric water heater is no longer adequate to meet their demands and need to look at higher capacity systems.
Electric Tank Heaters
It’s uncommon, but sometimes the best option for your situation is an electric heater. As you might have guessed, these heaters run on electricity rather than gas.
These make for an excellent choice when it’s hard for gas lines to reach your water heater. You can also have more flexibility and convenience in size and heater location when you go with an electric water heater. If you’ve looked at some gas models and don’t think they will fit where you need it, your best option may be an electric model instead.
Need help?
If you’re uncertain which type of water heater you have or might need, or if you would like assistance diagnosing your water heater problem over the phone, give us a call or click "get a quote" for a fast response.
Is a tankless water heater the right choice for you?
Have you ever had the entire family shower before you in the morning and you’re left with no more hot water?
You could switch to a tankless water heater and never have that problem again.
After my 50 gallon tank heater sprung a leak (after only 6 years) I decided to go tankless. Water Heaters Now were able to answer all my questions and concerns, plus their pricing was in line, if not below many other companies I contacted. Nate and Paul arrived on time and installed the whole system (and new water softener) before the end of the work day. Thanks guys!
Jordy A.
