Heat Pump Water Heater
A heat pump water heater is a highly efficient type of water heater system, as well as being pretty unique in its operation. To heat and circulate water throughout your home, a heat pump uses heat in the air and in the ground to heat the water. Electricity is only used to circulate the heat from the ground or air into the water, instead of being used to generate heat. Heat pump water heaters use up to 60% less electricity than a conventional style water heater, which means you can save a fair amount of money on your electricity bill. While it’s incredible energy and cost efficient in the long run, it still uses a tank that requires cleaning and preventative maintenance. You will need a good amount of room for this style of water heater, potentially up to eight feet of vertical clearance, and with the nature of its heat source, a heat pump will not work as well in excessively colder spaces or climates.
Solar Powered Water Heater
As the name suggests, a solar powered water heater uses solar energy to heat up water for your home. It’s probably the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly option out there, relying on roof-mounted solar panels for energy, which is transferred into a closed loop system with a conductive material that heats the tank. Like a lot of water heater models, a solar powered water heater uses a tank which will require maintenance and care. A solar powered water heater is especially good for folks who already have a solar panel set up, or for folks in sunny climates. But this system also requires a backup source of energy, so you can still have hot water on cloudy days. And a solar powered water heater system will also be quite expensive, so it may take a while before you can get a reliable return on your investment.
Condensing Water Heater
A condensing water heater is another highly energy efficient water heater system, as it recycles unused gas in your home to heat the water. This option is especially useful if your home primarily uses natural gas for energy, as this system utilizes heated exhaust from your natural gas system. The gas fumes are channelled through a coil at the bottom of the tank in order to heat the water in the tank, using very little energy that isn’t already being burned somewhere else in your home, like an oven or a heater. The tank will require preventative maintenance and cleaning like most of the other options on this list, and generally these styles of water heater don’t come in small versions. And if your home doesn’t rely heavily on natural gas for energy and power, then this type of water heater probably isn’t for you.
Expansion Tanks
While this isn’t necessarily a type of water heater in and of itself, it’s an important accessory to consider if you have a water heater that uses a tank. An expansion tank can provide a variety of benefits to your water heater system. The extra smaller tank attaches to your current one, and essentially provides an outlet for pressure and water buildup. When water is heated, it undergoes thermal expansion, which expands the volume of water and increases the pressure against the walls of the tank. An expansion tank provides more space within your water heater tank system and allows the pressure to be more evenly circulated