Various Types of Water Heaters | Water Heater Repair in Conway, SC

9/28/2018

Water heaters are essential fixtures in any household, especially in regions where winter can be particularly harsh. This makes the need for hot water all the more urgent, which is why a functional water heater is fundamental.

In addition to enabling residents to bathe themselves, water heaters are also imperative when it comes to using hot water for laundry, general cleaning, and indoor heating as well. Therefore, in case a water heater is defective and a water heater repair in Conway, SC is needed, then they must be called in immediately.

Now that we’ve stated the importance of water heaters, we will look at the various types that are used in households.

Water Heater Types

We will delve into the various types of water heaters now. This is useful since it can give a clear idea of what to install in case a water heater repair in Conway, SC is required and you are seeking to replace your existing heater.

Traditional Storage Tank Water Heaters

Conventional models are manufactured to provide high safety, energy and standards. These are typically available in natural gas, propane and electric models as well. Also, models come with a ten-year warranty.

Gas water heaters are generally recognized as being energy efficient which means home owners can save on costs annually. They are also equipped with more insulation and are wider as well. If you have space constraints at home, it is best advised to seek the assistance of a water heater repair in Conway, SC.

Furthermore, electric storage tank water heaters also boast a higher energy rating. Although electric water heaters are energy efficient, their operating costs tend to increase owing to the fact that electricity is more expensive than gas.

Electric water heaters are also easier to install and would represent simple task for water heater repair in Conway, SC. They are available in tall, medium, and short models respectively. Unlike gas storage heaters, they do not need a vent system to function. This makes them perfectly apt for tight spaces.

Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heaters are a cost effective alternate. Also called solar domestic hot water systems, they are ideal in any climate. They are comprised of storage tanks and solar collectors. There are two main types, namely active and passive water heaters. The former is equipped with circulating pumps and controls while the latter does not.

Active solar water heaters are available in direct and indirect circulation systems and can be installed by personnel who handle water heater repair in Conway, SC. The pumps disseminate water via the collectors and into homes. This is essentially why they ideally serve areas which do not experience snowfall. Indirect circulation mechanisms distribute a non-freezing, heat transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger. Indirect systems are best suited for areas with sub zero temperatures.

Moreover, passive heaters cost less and are also not as efficient as active solar water heaters. However, home owners are inclined to use these models and consult water heater repair in Conway, SC as a result. This is because they are reliable and last several years. These are also divided into two: integral collector storage passive systems and thermosyphon systems.

The former is excellent for regions without harsh winters. The latter is comprised to bulky storage tanks and the collectors must be installed beneath these tanks by water heater repair in Conway, SC in order to ensure that the warm water enters the tanks while the cooler water sinks.

Tankless Water Heaters

Another type is tankless water heaters. These provide a constant supply of hot water since they heat up on demand. Tankless water heaters have attributes such as space saving features, energy efficiency, and considerable life span as well.

The design of tankless water heaters ensures that there is no discharge of water as no water is stored until it is needed. This means there is no potential for a leakage and the ensuing clean up required. Tankless water heaters are perfectly able to fit in tight spaces and have grown considerably in popularity as well. For instance, large families are able to benefit from installing tankless modes since it can meet their hot water demands easily.

Those who have higher demand for hot water and are unhappy with their current heaters should opt for tankless ones and ask a water heater repair in Conway, SC to install it. Home owners looking for a change in water heater should choose a tankless version based on its flow rate, which should be as high as possible. This should be higher than the flow rate needed at their residence. The only caveat that is applicable to tankless water heaters is that it only needs time to execute the flow of hot water from the unit into the bathrooms of the house.

Heat Pump Water Heaters (Hybrids)

Hybrid water heaters function in the same way that a refrigerator does. Naturally, the major variation is that the process is in reverse when it comes to a water heater. The heater takes heat from the air and uses this energy to the water that is kept inside the tank. A heat pump water heater can be quite efficient assuming it is placed in the right space and setting. It has a capability of transferring up to thrice the energy as it consumes.

Heat pump heaters must be installed by water heater repair in Conway, SC in spaces where the temperature lies within the range of 5 degrees and 32 degrees Celsius annually. A minimum of 1000 cubic feet is necessary to accommodate hybrid water heaters as well. This means the unit should be installed by skillful water heater repair in Conway, SC. These models work best when used in areas with humidity, like a furnace room. On the other hand, they don’t work as well in colder spaces.

Contact the experts at Benjamin Franklin for water heater installation, repair, and maintenance.