With so many options of different ways to heat your home’s water, which is better? Learn about the pros and cons for hot water tanks, tankless water heaters and hybrid heat pump water heaters.

Hot Water Tanks

Hot water tanks are the more traditional type of supplying hot water. This system uses a tank with a element or gas flame at the bottom and heat the water in the tank. As the demand for hot water comes, it uses the water from the tank to fill that demand until it is emptied. These tanks come in many different sizes, however the most common is 50 gal tank. 

Advantages:

• This system is the most cost effect upfront. 
• The hot water tanks are easy to maintain and in most cases only need maintenance every 2-3 years.
• The simplicity of the hot water tank allows for minimal parts.

Disadvantages:

• This system is not the most energy efficient. 
• Once the hot water tank runs out of hot water, you need to wait for it to heat the new water in it.
• The lifespan of these tanks are about 10 years.

Tankless Water Heaters

Also known as on-demand water heaters, tankless systems use gas burners to heat up water when necessary. Since these units do not store water, they use sensors to determine when the water is flowing, they determine the current temperature of the water and a heat exchanger to ensure that the water hits the desired temperature.

Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heaters

This system use the heat from the surrounding air to heat your water, similar to a refrigerator on reverse. It transfers the heat to the coils, heating the water that is stored. 

Advantages:

• This system is very energy efficient as it uses up to 75% less energy than a standard electric water heater.
• Select models qualify for grants from the Greener Home Program.

Disadvantages:

• This system needs to be maintained every year. Check out our plans available.
• As with a normal hot water tank, it only heats the water in the tank, once it runs out you will need to wait for it to heat up again.

Which One Is Better?

Choosing between a hot water tank heater, a tankless water heater or a hybrid heat pump water heater will most likely hinge on the specific situation of each customer. If you want more efficient equipment, then a tankless or a hybrid heat pump would be the way to go.  But if upfront cost is a concern, then a hot water tank might be best.

Service Plus Heating and Cooling – Full-Service HVAC

Water heaters provide a necessary service, and if you need help deciding Service Plus Heating and Cooling is here to help. As a full-service HVAC company that provides the best systems on the market, our experience in installing and maintaining all units which makes us uniquely qualified to handle any scenario that may arise.