Water heaters come in a variety of varieties. There are commercial water heaters, residential water heaters, and point-of-use water heaters. They come with gas or electricity and can be condensing or non-condensing.

Gas vs. Electric

If you’re looking to replace your water heater, you’ll probably be faced with the choice of gas or electric. The option can be challenging.

There’s no denying electricity; natural gas has made impressive advances over the past few years. However, both sources are less environmentally friendly than renewable energy sources.

The electric water heater has been touted as the energy-efficient tack, but its gas counterpart is still more efficient. Electric heaters are usually more expensive to operate than their gas brethren.

There are some benefits to both types of water heaters. For instance, electric heaters can be powered by various sources, including solar and wind. They are also a lot smaller and more compact. This makes them a good choice for tiny homes or those that lack space.

In general, however, the most crucial benefit of an electric water heater is its energy efficiency. While the cost to run an electric water heater may be higher than that of a gas model, it’s likely to pay for itself quickly.

Condensing vs. Non-Condensing

If you have been looking into a standard water heater install corvallis or, you may be deciding between a condensing and non-condensing model. Both offer a variety of advantages and disadvantages. 

Condensing units are less expensive to operate. They use the thermal energy of exhaust gases to warm the water. This is done using a heat exchanger. The temperature of the exhaust gasses is lower than those from non-condensing units, which increases the efficiency of the heat distribution system.

However, it’s essential to remember that installing condensing units may cost more. A non-condensing water heater may be more affordable if you’re on a tight budget.

On the other hand, a condensing unit will cost more to repair. It can also be more challenging to maintain. Depending on your location, a condensing boiler may not be able to fit in your house. Moreover, the flue gas must be routed outside of your home.

Point-of-Use vs. Whole-House

Point-of-use water heaters are a great alternative to installing a whole-house model. They save you money and energy by delivering hot water to your faucets more quickly.

Point-of-use water heaters can be tankless or tank-type. Tank-type models come in sizes ranging from 2.5 gallons to 20 gallons. A more robust unit may be required for larger homes or multiple bathrooms.

The best part of a point-of-use water heater is the energy savings. One of the most common energy-saving measures is reducing the amount of cold water leaking from the faucet. Depending on your preferences, you can decide if this is good or bad.

Although a point-of-use water heater might not be as efficient as a whole-house model, it does the trick. Adding one to each water outlet will keep warm water flowing, thus lowering your water bill.

In addition to its efficiency, a point-of-use model is also less expensive to install. There are several types, including gas-powered and electric, but most are tankless.

Commercial vs. Residential

Whether you’re in the market for a commercial or residential high-efficiency water heater, it’s essential to understand the differences. The right high-efficiency water heater will help you save energy and lower operating costs. But there are also some things to watch out for when shopping for a new water heater.

For starters, a professional installation is critical. Even if you choose a big box store, you’ll have to be sure you get the product installed correctly. Otherwise, you could end up with an inferior product.

Commercial water heaters are designed to handle continuous usage. That’s why they have higher energy inputs than residential models. They typically have a capacity of at least 100 gallons.

Commercial water heaters have a much higher temperature rating than residential units. Typically, residential models have a temperature limit of 140 F. Depending on your needs, a commercial model can have a higher temperature limit.

While high-efficiency water heaters use the same amount of fuel, they burn it faster. They also have a secondary heat exchanger, which helps maximize heat transfer from the burner to the water.