Hot Water System Types

Investing in a hot water system is a sure way to ensure that you enjoy using hot or warm water in your home or business. It’s one of the most essential appliances in your home because it ensures you have hot water for showering, washing dishes and clothes, and many other uses.

Before investing your hard-earned money in a water heater, you should know the types available and how they work. This will let you choose a hot water system that will serve all your needs cost-effectively and efficiently. Continue reading the article to learn the different types of hot water systems.

Tankless Water Heaters

As the name implies, a tankless water heater doesn’t have a tank. Instead, it features coils that get heated when they are filled with water, heating your water instantly.

‍Continuous flow systems are efficient because of their ability to heat a lot of water quickly and supply hot water on demand. Tankless heaters are available in different sizes, so you should pick the right size based on your hot water requirements.

If you choose a size smaller than required, you will have cold or lukewarm water because you put more demand on your system than it can handle. They can operate on electricity and gas; therefore, you should choose depending on the energy source available in your home or business.

Conventional Storage Tank Water Heater

Conventional storage tank water heaters are the most common in many homes and businesses in Australia. These water systems feature a storage tank of a specific capacity where the water is stored as it gets heated.

The amount of water heated depends on the tank size, so you should buy the right-sized storage tank based on your needs. The tanks have excellent insulation to ensure the water remains warm after you heat it.

Conventional hot water heaters have two halves, one for pressure control and the other for temperature control. The temperature control opens when there is a need to moderate temperature or release heat when the water reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The pressure control opens at about 150 PSI to minimise the pressure.

The primary issue with these water heater systems is that they take ample time to heat the water, and if the heated water is used up and you require more, you have to wait for water heating to occur. This means that only a certain amount of water is available anytime. However, they are simple to use and install and are more affordable.

Heat Pump Water Heater

Heat pump water heaters help you save electricity because their heating mode doesn’t involve heat generation, thus allowing you to reduce your power consumption. The heater gets heat from the ground or air and moves it to the water it’s heating.

Therefore, electricity is only needed when the heat is transferred from the air or ground to the tank. This makes the system more cost-effective because less energy is used. The problem with the tank is that the heat pump should be placed on top of your water heater, so you require at least eight feet from the floor to the ceiling to install it.

Another issue is that since the system depends on external heat sources, it is not the best option if you live in a cold place. The heat pump water heater is also costly, so it takes time before your power savings can cover your investment in the system.

Condensing Water Heater

Condensing water heaters, also referred to as condensing boilers, run on gas, capturing and then leveraging the extra fumes to heat your water. The system extracts heat from the hot exhaust gas produced through the flue, stores it, and uses the heat emanating from it to pre-heat water in your boiler.

They feature a storage tank just like conventional heaters. The flue gas is blown through the coil placed at the base of the heater. The system is excellent if you require about 55 gallons of hot water at once.

The system will be energy efficient if your home operates on natural gas. The problem with the condensing water heater is that they only use natural gas and aren’t available in small sizes.

Solar Powered Water Heating System

Solar hot water heaters leverage the energy from the sun to heat water. This makes these systems a great option if you appreciate that alternative energy is the way to go in modern times. To use the system, you should install solar panels on your house.

The heat captured by the solar panel cells is moved through the heat-conductive material in the closed-loop system, which reaches the tank and heats your water. The fact that the solar hot water system depends on sunlight makes it a perfect choice only if you live in an area that receives ample sunlight.

The system helps save a lot of electricity bills, but you need an alternative energy source such as electricity or natural gas because of the rainy days.

Combined Space and Water Heating System

These hot water systems can feature hydronic boilers or not have them. They use an optimised hydronic air handler with coils that help transfer heat, thus helping save space. The system is suitable for you if you don’t have a lot of hot water needs. A single unit will work for you, thus helping you save both space and energy.

Hydronic Hot Water Heaters

These hot water systems, or combi-boilers, feature hydronic boilers and may or may not feature a tank. The heat transfer happens through a heat exchanger. They have a flow control valve that ensures a constant temperature, no matter the temperature of the incoming water.

Therefore, the system provides a good amount of hot water at stable temperatures. One good thing about these heaters is that they can last up to fifteen years with the proper care and maintenance.

They also have built-in parts, so you do not buy pieces separately. The compact size helps save space because the water supply comes from the main, eliminating the need for a tank. However, installation work may be challenging because of its complexity.

Smart Water Heaters

Smart water heaters can be tankless or thermostat systems working with your existing heating system. The heating systems allow you to save energy by monitoring and adjusting the temperature, connect with Wi-Fi and kill bacteria in your tank by cycling water temperatures. The problem with these systems is that they are costly and need professional installation.

Which Kind of Water Heater is the Best?

With the different types of hot water systems, you must choose the best for your hot water needs. Selecting the best type for your home depends on three major factors, i.e., your budget, available energy source, and number of people using the hot water daily.

If electricity is the only energy source available, then you should select a system that can use electricity and avoid the ones using natural gas. If you have a reasonable budget, you can go for smart hot water heaters and others that require a reasonable budget.

However, with a limited budget, you buy the conventional heating system. The most important thing is to take time and consider all factors to get a water heater that offers value for your money.

Hire a Plumber to Help with Your Hot Water Needs

You should hire a plumber to ensure that you choose the right hot water system for your business or home needs in Australia. A plumber can assess your hot water needs or other factors and advise on the best system for you.

In addition, they will help do the installation, repairs, and maintenance to ensure that your system works optimally. With their vast experience and knowledge working with gas and electric hot water heaters, you can expect that your hot water system will serve you for many years and make it a valuable investment.