How The 3 Different Types Of Water Heaters Function & Work
When it is time to change out your water heater, you don't have to go with the same type of water heater that you had before. Depending on the space you have, you can install one of the three primary types of water heater: a conventional water heater, a tankless water heater, or a hybrid water heater.
#1 A Conventional Water Heater
A conventional water heater is the type of water heater that most people think of when they imagine a water heater. A conventional tank is a large container that can store anywhere from twenty to eight gallons. Hot water is stored inside of the tank; when you need hot water, hot water is drawn out of the tank.
Conventional water heaters can be powered by a variety of different sources. They can be powered by various fuel sources, such as propane, natural gas, or electricity. This type of water heater takes up a fair amount of space, that is why you often see these types of water heaters located in the garage or basement.
#2 A Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater is a more modern type of water heater. It is much smaller than a conventional water heater. Instead of taking up square footage on the floor, a tankless water heater can be hung up on the wall. It is a very space-conscious water heater.
A tankless heater uses either a gas or electric heating element to heat the water on the spot, right when you need it. With a tankless heater, you will never run out of hot water. Tankless water heaters can be fueled by various fuel sources just like a conventional water tank.
#3 A Hybrid Water Tank
Finally, you have a hybrid water tank. A hybrid water tank looks a lot like a conventional water heater in terms of the shape and amount of space that it takes up. Where it differs is in how it heats the water and the amount of energy it uses to heat the water.
A hybrid water heater warms up and stores hot water inside of the heat; it keeps the water hot by moving hot air around the tank. When you need a lot of water, a hybrid tank switches to electrical heating, heating up the hot water you need right now just like a tankless water heater. It uses heating methods used by both a conventional tank and a tankless heater, hence the name.
When it comes to installing a new water heater in your home, all three choices above can provide you with quality hot water when you need it. The key is to choose the type of water heater that fits best with your household's needs. For more information, talk to plumbing services like Scotto Services Plumbing.