February 15, 2018
Homeowners on the Cape know that high-efficiency HVAC equipment is essential to staying comfortable and spending less. You probably are thinking about your boiler or central A/C system, but we’re talking about the everyday home comfort hero: the water heater.
From season to season, your water heater is performing daily to deliver the hot water you need for showering, dishwashing, laundering, and more. This hardworking appliance not only needs regular maintenance, just like your heating and cooling HVAC equipment, but it also should be replaced every 10 years or so for your safety, savings, and everyday convenience.
Reasons to Upgrade
The most common reason for water heater failure is old age. If your system is not being professionally maintained on a yearly basis by a certified HVAC specialist, sudden system failure can occur without any warning. Don’t put your family or your property at risk! Your service provider or water heater manufacturer can recommend when it is time to replace your system to help avoid this unnecessary hazard. Not to mention, new equipment will:
- Operate more efficiently
- Lower fuel costs
- Deliver more readily available hot water every day
Choosing the Right Kind of Water Heater
Today homeowners have their pick of various options for hot water heating:
Conventional Storage Water Heater
This unit holds a supply of hot water and operates by releasing it from the top of the tank when hot water is called for. Afterward, cold water fills the bottom of the tank.
Indirect Water Heater
This appliance uses the heat produced by your boiler to heat your hot water simultaneously. At the time hot water or heat is called for, the demand is taken from the indirect water tank instead of the heating system. Energy stored by the water tank allows the boiler to turn off and on less often, which can save energy, lower heating costs, and extend the life of these important appliances.
Tankless Water Heater
It’s all in the name. This unit requires no storage tank. Cold water travels through a pipe to reach a unit with a heating element, resulting in instant hot water always available when you need it. ENERGY STAR® states that this water heating option can be anywhere from 8% to 34% more efficient than a storage water heater!
Contact Falmouth Energy to learn more about your upgrade options and schedule your installation.