Hot Water Heaters
Hot Water Heater Guide > Solar Water Heaters
Hot water heaters are plumbing appliances which are used to heat water
above its ambient temperature.
Most residential and commercial water heaters are fueled by electricity
or gas. Electric water heaters operate more efficiently, but
gas water heaters often cost less to operate because natural gas is
relatively inexpensive. If you have a gas water heater, you should
install a carbon monoxide detector and have all of your gas appliances
inspected periodically for safety's sake.
Tank-type water heaters have a hot water storage tank where heated water is stored and available for use at any time. When hot water is drawn from the tank, it is replaced by cooler water which must be heated before use. It takes some time for the water in the tank to reach its thermostatically set temperature. When buying a water heater, ask about the unit's "Rate of Recovery" to learn how fast it will heat water in the tank.
A two-person household typically requires a 40 to 60 gallon water heater,
while a five-person household may require a 60 to 80 gallon water heater
to accommodate peak usage requirements. If you have a large family
or a whirlpool tub, consider buying a model with a larger tank, even
though it may cost slightly more to operate.
Tankless water heaters, also known as "on demand" water heaters,
have long been used in Europe and are now available in the USA.
More costly than tank-type water heaters, they can also be more efficient
because they heat water only when it is being used rather than heating
and storing water in a tank where its heat can gradually dissipate.
The heating coils in a tankless hot water heater turn on immediately
when water begins to flow through them and turn off when the water flow
stops.
On HotWaterHeaters.us, you will find selected suppliers of both tank-type and tankless water heaters, as well as consumer information about hot water heater efficiency and operation. Hard water can shorten the life of a water heater, so consider warranty issues more carefully if your water has high mineral content. If you are in the market for a new water heater, you may wish to read the ACEEE's helpful article about energy-efficient water heating, as well as the U.S. DOE articles listed below, before making your hot water heater purchase.
Shop for Hot Water Heaters
- Tankless Water Heaters
Save money and use energy efficiently with on-demand water heaters.
www.TanklessWaterHeaters.com - Find Water Heater Installers
Get matched to prescreened, customer-rated water heater installers in your local area.
www.ServiceMagic.com - Bosch Water Heaters
Leading supplier of tankless and point-of-use water heaters.
www.BoschHotWater.com
Hot Water Heater Manufacturers
- A. O. Smith Water Products
Residential and commercial water heaters and boilers.
www.HotWater.com - Rheem Water Heaters
Learn about quality Rheem and Ruud water heaters. Rheem offers residential water heater sizing information as well as a convenient tankless water heater sizing guide.
www.Rheem.com - Bradford White
Water heater products, consumer information, plumbing and heating contractor locator.
www.BradfordWhite.com - Raypak
Commercial and residential hot water and heating products, pool and spa heaters.
www.Raypak.com - Vaughn Manufacturing
Offers a range of residential and commercial water heaters and water tanks. "The future of water heating."
www.VaughnCorp.com
Water Heater Consumer Information
- Energy-Efficient Water Heating
This article provides you with information on how to reduce your home's water heating costs.
www1.EERE.Energy.gov - Choosing a Water Heater
This U.S. Department of Energy article can help you select an energy-efficient water heater for your home.
apps1.EERE.Energy.gov - How Water Heaters Work
Provides a basic overview of water heater construction and operation.
www.HowStuffWorks.com
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