Instant Water Heaters
Table of Contents:
What are the different energy types of water heaters available?
Electric – widely available and works well with conventional tank-type designs as well as tankless water heaters and heat pump systems. Modern electric water heaters are also extremely efficient as they convert all energy they use into heat for the water. Electrically powered water heaters heat using coiled elements and then act intermittently to maintain a pre-set temperature, therefore minimising energy wastage. They also don’t require as much maintenance as your typical gas heater.
Gas – commonly used to heat water and space, gas is considered the cheapest fuel source currently, but not the most efficient or ecological. Cold water enters the bottom of the tank, where it’s heated by a gas burner ignited by a pilot light. As the water warms, it rises and is drawn off into a discharge pipe ready for use.
Solar – water is pre-heated naturally by the solar panel and use a heat-conducting fluid to transfer this solar energy to the hot water tank through a heat exchanger. You’ll need more space and solar panels, therefore these types of heaters can be more expensive to install. That being said, you can expect a significant saving on your heating bill and greater efficiency, particularly in locations where warmth and sun are prevalent.
Geothermal – usually used with a heat pump system that can heat both air and water. This can be extremely efficient. Geothermal systems use the ground as their main source of energy. They can transfer heat to radiators and other climate control systems in your home, and provide hot water. Many of these systems can also be used in reverse in hot weather to provide geothermal cooling.
What is the difference between a boiler and a water heater?
While there is some crossover in the function boilers and water heaters perform, these two appliances are not the same. Both appliances heat the water, boilers also provide heat while water heaters do not.
What are the benefits of a tankless water heater?
- They take up less space
- You will have unlimited hot water
- They have double the lifespan of a normal water heater
- It could potentially cut your energy bill in half.
What is a water heater and how does it work?
The job of a water heater is to warm up your domestic water. It supplies cold water from the mains and heats it.
What is the difference between vented and unvented water heaters?
Vented water heaters are a standalone system, ideal when there is no suitable access to a central boiler. The vented system allows trapped air to escape as it heats the expanding cold water drawn from a water tank. Traditional, simple and affordable, a vented water heater operates at a lower pressure, excellent for localised water heating.
Unvented water heaters connect directly to the mains water feed, providing hot water at high pressure. Perfect for showers, baths and power taps, unvented water heaters can be more expensive but provide powerful hot water reliably. Unvented systems provide the ultimate comfort but cannot work if the mains water supply is turned off.
How much does it cost to install a water heater?
The water heater installation cost depends on several factors: the type of water heater, time of the service and additional materials – if required.
How do I choose the right instant water heater?
Think about why you’re purchasing a new one and whether or not you actually need it.
Check if you have sufficient water pressure.
To calculate the pressure, you can either ask a plumber to take a look, and they’ll use a pressure gauge tool, which you can also buy and use yourself. Or you can get a rough guide by measuring the drop between the tank and tap.
Start by measuring the height between the bottom of your open or vented water tank and the outlet of your tap. You might find that this means measuring from your tap to your ceiling, and then from the floor of your loft to the bottom of the tank. If there are floors in between, measure the height from floor to ceiling and add this all together. Don’t forget to allow for the depth of each floor too.
Try to measure as accurately as possible, to the nearest metre. Each metre of drop equates to 0.1 bar of pressure. Water systems which operate at 1.0 bar pressure (10 m of drop) or greater are considered high pressure systems. Those with a pressure less than 1.0 bar are considered low pressure.
Find out the exact size you need:
- One bedroom – between 120 and 150 litres
- Two bedrooms – between 150 and 180 litres
- Three bedrooms – between 180 and 210 litres
- Four bedrooms – between 210 and 300 litres
- Five or more bedrooms – 300 and more litres
Check out the warranty of the unit.
What is the energy efficiency rating for the unit?
The efficiency of a water heater explains how much fuel a device actually burns. It is based on the amount of hot water produced per unit of fuel consumed over a day. All modern units have to follow common efficiency ratings approved by the government.
What is the cost of the unit?
You will need to take into consideration how much installation will cost.
Will you need to vent the unit?
Indoor gas tankless water heaters need to be vented. All indoor models have an exhaust vent. Indoor models also need a fresh air intake either from a direct vent or a power vent. Direct vent models draw fresh air from outside and can be installed in small spaces.
Think about power outages.
If a power outage happens, the electric units shut down immediately. Unless you have some hot water stored, you will not have access to hot water until the power gets restored. An alternative solution can be to connect your water heater to a backup power supply. Gas water heaters are not dependent on electricity. The coil or flame is powered by gas, which allows them to work during a power outage.
What maintenance will it need?
Electric units tend to need very little maintenance, really all they need is for the water inlet to be cleaned on a regular basis. Gas units will need to be inspected for maintenance by a professional on a regular basis.
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