Water Heating Systems
Home Building Tip
The standard water heater is one of the most energy-consumption devices around. New technologies such as solar and tankless systems can lower energy costs.
Building Directory:
What You Need to Know
| Water Heaters Come in Many Forms |
from our "home remodeling" project library
Yet another type of water heater, which uses a heat pump, does not rely on generating heat directly. These types of home water heaters use one-third to one-half as much electricity as a conventional electric resistance water heater. Another option is an indirect water heater which uses your boiler as the heat source. Indirect water heaters, when used with high-efficiency boilers or furnaces, generally have the lowest operating costs among water heating technologies. In contrast, solar water heaters use energy from the sun to heat water. While the start-up costs of installing a solar water heater are high, it can be cost effective for the right climate, and if supported by tax credits.
The Consumers’ Directory of Certified Energy Ratings for Water Heating Equipment helps consumers identify the most energy efficient models. Other government-backed programs such as the ENERGY STAR program help consumers identify energy efficient products so you pick the most appropriate home water heating system for your needs. |
Consumer Information
| Water Heating Information |
|---|
| energy efficient water heating |
| selecting a new water heater |
| swimming pool heating |
| solar water heating |
Water Heating Types
| Storage Water Heaters |
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| Most common type. Fuel options: electricity, natural gas, oil, and propane. Storage capacity: range from 20 to 80 gallons (75.7 to 302.8 liters) |
| Heat Pump Water Heaters |
| Cold water travels through a pipe into the unit, and either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water only when needed. With these systems, you never run out of hot water. But there is one potential drawback with demand water heaters -- limited flow rate. |
| Demand Water Heaters |
| Uses electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. To heat water for homes, heat pump water heaters work like refrigerators in reverse. |
| Tankless Coil - Indirect Water Heaters |
| A home's space-heating system can also be used to heat water. Two types of water heaters that use this system are tankless coil and indirect. No separate storage tank is needed in the tankless coil water heater because water is heated directly inside the boiler in a hydronic (i.e., hot water) heating system. |
| Solar Water Heaters |
| Sun can be used to heat water for your home. Depending on climate and water use, a properly designed, installed, and maintained solar water heater can meet from half to nearly all of a home's hot water demand. |
Plumbing Information
Product Information
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