Confused About Which Water Heating System Is Right for You? St Paul Pipeworks can help you decide.
For many years, water heaters have been one of the least efficient appliances in your home, but recently, technology has dramatically improved the efficiency and cost of heating water. We can help you sort out which system fits your needs and budget. We work with a wide range of products and brands, and provide repair or installation services for the following types of water heating systems:
Conventional Water Heaters
Regular tank water heaters are the basic starting point for a new water heating system. They are modestly priced, and they operate around a 58% energy efficiency rate. The newer regular tank heaters are better insulated and will be about 2% more energy efficient than your old regular tank heater. Newer improvements include a semi-sealed combustion chamber that greatly improves safety from explosions.
Standard Power Vent Water Heater
Standard power vent water heaters are economical to buy and easy to install. They are a little bit more energy efficient and tend to operate at around 70% efficiency. These units vent out the sidewall of your home instead of exhausting up the chimney. This is important for homes without chimneys and of course allows for flexibility in where to locate the water heater in your home.
High-Efficiency Tank Water Heaters
Improvements in water heating technology have led to much more efficient power vent heaters. A high-efficiency tank water heater can operate at around 90% efficiency. These tanks will reduce your monthly energy bill and they produce the hot water faster.
While their dimensions are similar to a standard 50-gallon tank, the hot water output is similar to a larger, less efficient conventional 75-gallon model. These tanks provide lots of hot water and can rapidly replace hot water that is used, which means homeowners can expect to get one more hot shower.
Tankless Water Heaters
The latest technology in water heaters is gas tankless water heaters. Tankless water heaters work differently than traditional water heaters. Instead of storing many gallons of heated water, the tankless water heaters heat up water only when it is needed.
They can provide endless hot water along with dramatically lower energy costs. We offer the industry’s most energy-efficient tankless water heater. They are able to operate at 94% to 98% energy efficiency.
They function at remarkably high efficiency and have the lowest annual operating costs as well as the best payback when compared with conventional tank-type water heaters. Recent innovations have improved performance over earlier tankless models.
St Paul Pipeworks plumbers have worked with and are experts in all types of water heating systems. If you are thinking about installing or replacing a gas water heater in your home or are just looking for a quality plumber in the St. Paul and Minneapolis metro area, give St Paul Pipeworks a call today.
Yours Truly,
Matthew Dettwiler
Social Media Manager
FAQs
Q: What is the most energy-efficient type of water heater?
A: The most energy-efficient type of water heater is a gas tankless water heater, which operates at 94% to 98% efficiency.
Q: How does a tankless water heater work?
A: Tankless water heaters heat up water only when it is needed, rather than storing large amounts of heated water like traditional water heaters. This allows for endless hot water and dramatically lower energy costs.
Q: Are there any safety concerns with regular tank water heaters?
A: Older regular tank water heaters may have safety concerns such as explosion risks. However, newer models have improved insulation and semi-sealed combustion chambers to increase safety.
Q: Can a standard power vent water heater be installed without a chimney?
A: Yes, standard power vent water heaters can be vented out the sidewall of a home instead of up a chimney, making them suitable for homes without chimneys.
Q: How does a high-efficiency tank water heater compare to a standard tank water heater?
A: A high-efficiency tank water heater can operate at around 90% efficiency, while a standard tank water heater operates at approximately 58% efficiency. This means a high-efficiency tank water heater can save homeowners money on their monthly energy bills and provide hot water faster.
