Water Heaters

Water heaters come in all shapes and forms; Storage Tank, Tankless, Heat Pump, Solar, and Condensing are the most popular. In the Miami Valley the majority of water heaters are Storage Tank and Tankless.

At Hauck Bros., Inc.  we service and install both types. Water heaters are available in natural gas, liquid propane, and electric and typically range in capacity from 28 gallons to 75+ gallons.  According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Water heating consumes a lot of energy, in fact it’s the second largest home energy user in the house, after cooling and heating. Current Storage Tank water heaters run at about 85% efficiency.

Tankless water heaters can save up to 34% in homes that use 41 gallons of water or less. There are even utility rebates for replacing the old water heater with an Energy Star™ certified model. Most replacements occur when there is an emergency and the unit breaks down. This makes replacing a Storage Tank water heater with another Storage Tank water heater quicker and less expensive. However, knowing that most Storage Tank water heaters have an average life of 10-15 years allows you to plan to replace your Storage Tank water heater with a Tankless water heater if the conditions are right. Tankless water heater typically last up to 20 years.

A lot goes into evaluating your house or business to determine which water heater is right for you and the installation cost of each type. For example, Tankless water heaters need a major plumbing retrofit, and possible upgrades to gas lines and electric service, the costs of each type need to be considered before making the conversion. For new homes, putting a Tankless water heater in is easier as it can be planned out in advance and included in the production of the house.

Infographic

https://www.energy.gov/articles/new-infographic-and-projects-keep-your-energy-bills-out-hot-water

How it Works

Storage Tank water heaters typically have a capacity of 20 to 80 gallons. Using a fuel source (natural gas, electricity, fuel oil, propane), these tanks will heater water continuously to keep the tank hot for when you need it. These tanks are covered by insulation and than a metal casing to hold heat in for maximum efficiency.  By the way, newer models of the same capacity tend to be bigger dimensions than the old ones as they are required to have more insulation around the tank. For gas and propane water heaters, proper venting its crucial for your buildings safety.

Tankless water heaters are also called on demand or instantaneous water heaters, provide hot water as needed. That means they don’t produce standby energy losses  that Storage Tank water heaters are associated with. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels into the unit and is heated by a gas burner or electric elements. Depending on the building and the demand needed, there are times when the Tankless water heater can not supply enough hot water as called upon. To solve this problem, individual units can be put on some of the taps such as the bathroom, washer, and dishwasher. The other option Is to install another bigger unit to work in tandem with the first unit to provide an adequate amount of hot water for the entire house

Comfort

Water heaters are huge purchases for a home or business. Having the ability to have hot water on demand to the entire building is important. Depending on the type of system you have and with routine annual maintenance performed, these units can last for 10-20 years without a problem. Look for Energy Star™ approved units to help save some money on utilities.

Energy Efficiency

A water heaters efficiency is determined by its Energy Factor (EF). The EF is based on the amount of hot water produced per unit of fuel consumed. This includes the water heaters recovery efficiency, standby losses, and cycling losses. Recovery efficiency is determined by how efficiently heat is transferred to the water. Standby losses are the percentage of the heat loss per hour from the stored water compared to the water’s heat. Cycling losses refers to the loss of heat as water circulates through a tank or piping.

DIY

Periodic maintenance can extend the life of your water heater and minimize any efficiency losses. According to the Department of Energy, Flush a quart of water from the tank every three months and replace the anode rods when needed in your Storage Tank water heater. You can also test the TPR valve to ensure it operation in case of a problem. Insulating water lines can help save energy and heat loss as well.  Visually inspect the water lines and the water heater to ensure there are no leaks.

Service

At Hauck Bros., Inc. we can provide maintenance for your water heater. Depending on your model and fuel type our maintenance service includes the following

1. Pull and clean the burner
2. Check and clean the pilot
3. Check T/P valves
4. Check gas pressure
5. Check heating elements
6. Check water temperature set point
7. Check for water leaks

Accessories

Storage Tank Water Heater

• Expansion Pressure Tank, used to take on extra water to prevent excess pressure on piping.
• Install Kit, used to install and adapt a new water heater to the existing piping in the building.
• Water Heater Pan, connected to a drain pipe, helps prevent leaks from spreading to the floor.
• Water Heater Stand, used to raise a water heater.

Tankless Water Heater Accessories

• Concentric Vent Kit, used to allow one hold installation of intake and outtake ventilation.
• LP Conversion Kit, used to convert Natural Gas (NG) to Liquid Propane (LP)
• Tankless Water Heater Stand, used to hold unit instead of mounting to a wall