What will you do when it’s time to buy a new hot water system? Will you just buy the same type you have now and go on about your way?
What If There’s A Better Option?
It’s always a good idea to do a bit of homework and talk to some experts before purchasing a new hot water system.
Learn the best way to choose the right size hot water system for your home here.
Energy Sources for Hot Water Systems
There are a few different types of hot water systems you can choose from based on their energy source. For example:
Electric: Electric systems are generally inexpensive to buy and quick to install. However, they can be the most expensive when it comes to running costs. To save on running costs, you can set your system to run during off-peak hours when electricity is less expensive. However, you’ll need a large tank for storing heated water throughout the day.
Gas: If you have a connection to natural gas, this can be a great option. Gas is generally cheaper than electricity and rates don’t vary throughout the day so water can be heated as needed.
Solar: Solar hot water systems are more expensive to install but have low running costs. Eventually, most systems pay for themselves over time. A large storage tank is required to store hot water for days with less sun and an electric or gas booster element is usually added just in case.
Heat Pump: Heat pumps are a very efficient form of heating water. They use electricity but much less because they also extract heat from the air. A booster element is useful for cold days.
Heating Method
There are two main methods of heating water. One heats the water and then stores it in a tank to be used when needed. Tanks are insulated to prevent heat loss, but you’ll still lose a little if the water sits there long enough.
Continuous flow systems heat the water as needed. In smaller households, they can have cheaper running costs than a storage tank system. Most models are gas, though there are electric units available.
Household Size and Water Usage
Once you’ve picked out your energy source and storage type, you need to think about the size of the system you need.
Consider how many people live in your home and how much water you typically use. This is the main factor when choosing the right size system.
A large storage-type system will be unnecessarily expensive, heating water that you won’t use. But if your system is too small, you will be constantly run out of water. Likewise, make sure to choose a continuous flow system that is large enough to serve as many hot water outlets at once that you will commonly use.
Enjoy Your New System!
That’s all there is to it! Don’t hesitate to turn the experts when choosing your hot water system. They can advise you on all the factors we’ve talked about here and how they apply to your particular home.