Water Heater Products

Conventional water heaters have improved in recent years. They now have thicker insulation, motorized dampers to reduce heat loss, and an EF of at least .67.

Pros:

• Lowest upfront cost.
• Easiest to install.
• No fans or pumps to burn out.

Cons:

• Less efficient; more expensive to run.

Is it for you?

If you need an immediate replacement, you don’t plan to stay in your home for years or you just don’t use a lot of hot water, a conventional unit may be your most cost effective option.

Hybrid heat-pump water heaters work by pulling heat out of the surrounding air and pumping it into the storage tank. So if you live in a warm climate, like we do, and install it in your hot attic or garage, the heat pump alone can save you money. The conventional heating coils come on only when the heat pump can no longer satisfy the demand.

Pros:

• An electric hybrid heat pump has the lowest operating cost of any electric water heater on the market, when installed in warm climates. They may also qualify for rebates and tax incentives.

Cons:

• Hybrids cost much more than a conventional electric heater.
• The heat pump is taller (and wider in some cases) than your existing electric heater. Make sure the unit will fit.
• Some heaters are “side-piped” to eliminate the possibility of heat pump damage caused by leaking pipes. On those models, you’ll have to reconfigure the water pipes.
• You have to clean the air filter regularly to maintain operating efficiency.
• The heater needs at least 1,000 cu. ft. of air surrounding it.

What to look for:

EF rating of 2.0 and the highest “first-hour rating.”

Is it for you?

If you heat water with electricity, an electric hybrid heat pump will save you the most money over a conventional heater. The higher your electric rates and the warmer the year-round climate, the faster the payback. In many cases, the payback can be as little as four years.

Instead of keeping 40 or 50 gallons of hot water on call 24 hours a day—which wastes energy—a tankless unit heats water only when you need it. A flow sensor detects when you open the faucet. Then the gas valve opens and the burners fire up. The heater measures the incoming water temperature and calculates how quickly the water should flow past the burners. So, if the incoming water is 65 degrees F (typical summer temperature), the heater will provide its maximum flow rate. But if the water is only 35 degrees, the heater will throttle back the flow rate by almost 50 percent.

Pros:

• Nothing beats a tankless heater for putting out lots of hot water—it never runs out.
• A tankless heater saves about 30 to 50 percent in energy costs over a conventional gas heater (minimum EF of .82 vs. .54 for conventional).
• A tankless heater is small and hangs on the wall, freeing up floor space.

Cons:

• With tankless heaters, there’s a lag time of three to eight seconds to fire up the burners and heat the water to the set temperature.
• Installation can be a major project.
• Tankless heaters must be flushed annually with special chemicals to remove scale and maintain energy efficiency.

What to look for:

Shop for one with the highest EF and the best flow rate. We recommend Navien products.

Is it for you?

If you want an endless supply of hot water for long showers, already have two water heaters servicing your home, or to fill a spa, this heater’s for you.

A point-of-use (POU) heater can’t replace your main water heater. But it can cut your water bill by eliminating the waste that occurs while you’re waiting for hot water to arrive at the tap. The heater (which is about the size of a cigar box) installs under the sink and connects between the cold water valve and the hot water faucet.

Pros:

• A point-of-use heater reduces water waste and dramatically shortens the wait for hot water.
• It boosts the efficiency of your main water heater, eliminating frequent cycling from faucets.

Cons:

• A point-of-use heater adds cost to your water heater project.
• It requires a new 220-volt or 110-volt high-amperage circuit.

What to look for:

The highest EF and best flow rate based on winter water temperatures.

Is it for you?

If you have long runs from the water heater to kitchen and bath faucets, a POU heater is the best solution. A point-of-use heater offers about a three-year payback based on water savings alone.

Like many high-performance products, Solar Water Heaters require a bit more investment upfront, but you reap the savings over the lifetime of the unit.

Pros:

• Use the free energy of the sun to heat your water
• Lower monthly electric (or gas) utility bills
• Great for climates that receive a lot of sunshine, like Texas
• Federal tax credits help lower upfront cost, and there are often local incentives that also help offset part of the initial investment

Cons:

• Tank takes up more space than tankless units, but comparable to (or slightly larger than) “normal” tank type units
• Higher up front cost for equipment & installation
• Tank can produce a significant amount of heat, so its location will need to be planned accordingly
• More equipment = more maintenance

Electric water heaters are ideal for locations that do not have access to natural gas. 

Pros:

• Fully Automatic Controls 
• Direct Heat Transfer with Immersed Elements 
• Simultaneous and Non-Simultaneous Operation Available 
• Voltages Available—120V, 208V, 240V, 277V, 480V 
• Single Phase or Three Phase Operation Available— (120V & 277V Single Phase Only) 
• Approved for installation in a manufactured home (mobile home)

Cons:

• Higher utility bill
• Not energy efficient