Hot water systems are an integral part of your plumbing and water storage system, especially if you are living in a cold region. It is one of the most important things in a house that cannot be neglected since hot water is used in houses in large quantities for drinking, washing, and cooking purposes. It is a system that you want to purchase, install, and want it to last for decades. So, it is better to know about the different types of water heating systems to understand which option is the best for you.
Table of Contents
Here are the 5 main types of water heating systems:
Water Storage Tank Heater
These are by far the most common type of hot water systems available in most of the houses. It involves a tank that can store water to be heated. The tank is insulated so that the water once heated remains hot for several hours. The disadvantage is that the quantity of the tank limits how much water can be heated at once. Once the tank is emptied, you have to wait for the tank to get filled again and the water to be heated again. Its maintenance is high, as there is water stored for most of the time in these heaters. You must clean it at least twice a year to remove the sediments and mineral deposits. The lifespan of storage tank hot water systems is hampered if it is not kept clean.
On-Demand Water Heating Systems
In this type of water heating system, there are no tanks. Instead, these water heating systems run on electricity or gas that heats up water quickly within the coils that are wrapped around the water pipes. Thus, you can get hot water whenever you want and there is no need to worry about the tank getting empty. The advantage is that they are highly energy efficient because they heat the water running in the pipes only. But you need to clean it as well to avoid mineral deposits within the coiled pipes.
Heatpump Water Systems
The heat pump hot water systems have a very unique working mechanism. Instead of heating the water, it heats the water indirectly by way of heat transfer. The heat from the air and the ground are transferred to water and thus water gets heated. The biggest advantage is that they reduce your electricity consumption by almost 50%. But for this much heat to generate, you need a large tank and overhead clearance above the water level.
Solar-Powered Water Heating Systems
This type of water heating system is also becoming quite common. It is special because it requires no electricity or gas cost for heating water. Instead, in the solar-powered hot water systems, the water in the tank is heated by the solar panels that are mounted on rooftops. The heat energy is transferred to a heat lopping system, which is a good heat conductor and works to heat up the water. But for this, you need to have a backup plan to heat water on cloudy and winter days. The cost of maintenance includes cleaning the water tank and maintaining the solar panels in optimum condition.
Condensing Water Heating Systems
The condensing water heating system is beneficial if you want to heat water by gas. It funnels the gas fumes to heat the water inside a tank. This is pretty much similar to the conventional hot water systems, but you need to have a large tank to fulfill your daily hot water needs.
If you are looking to save cost and the durability factor, then solar power water heaters and heat pump water heaters are the best. The initial cost may be high, but the daily energy savings and the durability factor is very good and it will save money in the long run. If you have a cheap gas supply at your home, then you can go for condensing water heating systems as well.
