Types of Water Heaters in Nashville
The water heater is your home’s unsung hero, reliably working behind the scenes to make possible the things we take for granted—hot showers, dishwashing, and more.
This modern appliance provides hot water to all your taps and baths, and without it, you’d have to manually heat water every time you need to take a bath or wash dishes. It’s one of the most important devices you can have installed in your home.
However, due to their “install and forget†nature, water heaters are one of those appliances people pay less attention to unless they start malfunctioning.
That said, water heaters aren’t made to last forever, and at some point, they’ll break down. Once this happens, you’ll want to have it repaired or replaced. Should you opt to have it replaced, you’ll want to know the best type of water heater for your home.
The Different Types of Water Heaters
Water heaters come in different shapes and sizes. We’ll cover the three most common types of water heaters you’ll find on the market today.
1. Electric Water Heaters
Electric water heaters are one of the most popular options available. These units use electric energy to generate heat that is used to raise the temperature of the water.
Usually, water is heated with a high-powered heating element and stored in tanks, available for on-demand use. Modern electric water heaters contain two heating elements and two thermometers—one to control each heating element.
Most homes and hotels opt for electric water heaters over gas water heaters. That’s because electric water heaters have low upfront costs and better energy efficiency than gas water heaters. However, they don’t heat water as quickly as their gas counterparts.
2. Gas Water Heaters
Unlike electric water heaters that feature an electric heating element, gas water heaters use a gas burner that heats the cold water stream as it passes through.
Gas water burners tend to heat water faster and more efficiently. They are more reliable than their electric counterparts since they can operate during a power outage.
Gas is also less expensive compared to electricity. However, gas water heaters require more upfront costs than electricity.
Pro Tip: Before you opt for a gas water heater, it’s vital to ensure proper inspection and installation. This is because of the inherent risks associated with gaseous systems, such as flammability, the chemical composition of the air, and proximity to combustible substances.
3. Tankless Water Heaters
As the name implies, tankless water heaters have no tank. Instead, they come equipped with super-heated coils that heat water in a flash.
These systems can be fueled by either electricity or natural gas, though natural gas tankless heaters tend to be more efficient.
One advantage of tankless water heaters is that they don’t waste energy heating and reheating a tank full of water. Instead, water is heated only when it’s needed. Moreover, they are more efficient and take up less space.
However, the cost of buying and installing a tankless water heater is significantly higher than that of a conventional tank water heater.
Contact Doctor Drips Today
There’s no one size fits all solution that can be ideal for every household.
Each family’s requirements are different, and what might be ideal for you might not be the best option for someone in the suburbs. In determining the best water heating system for your home, consider the needs of your home and the energy consumption of your ideal system.
Once you identify the best solution for your household, you’ll need to contact a professional water heater services company to do the installation.
If you’re in Nashville, Doctor Drips can help with all your water heater installation needs. Our Nashville plumbing services include installing water heaters and sewer systems, fixing leaky faucets and flappers, and cleaning the drain.
If you’re looking to repair or install a new electric water heater, a gas water heater, or a tankless water heater, call us today at (615) 970-0047!