Water Heaters

More about Water Heaters

What is a Water Heater?
Water entering a home through a system of pipes is usually cold or cool. A water heater provides the hot water which makes it possible to take a hot shower or use a dishwasher or washing machine. Traditional water heaters look like big metal cylinders and are generally installed in a basement or laundry room. Tankless water heaters have been gaining popularity in recent years because of their efficiency and compact size.

Selecting an ideal water heater is essential when energy costs are in consideration. Roughly 20% of the average United States household annual energy cost comes from hot water heating. Water heaters can be fueled by gas, electric, liquid propane, oil, or even solar energy. They are used in residential and commercial applications and are available in direct-fired, indirect-fired, and tankless variations.

Direct-Fired Water Heaters
Direct-fired water heaters derive their name from the method water is heated within the storage tank. In this type of water heater, the water in the tank is heated directly by the heat of a flame. Fuel is burned in a combustion chamber under the water storage tank, then hot flue gases heat water in the tank. A home with a warm air furnace will generally have this type of water heater.

Indirect Water Heaters An indirect-fired water heater gets hot water from a boiler or furnace. A furnace or boiler heats water that is then transferred through a heat exchanger located in the storage tank. The energy stored by the storage tank allows the furnace to turn on and off less often. This saves energy and money. An indirect water heater with a well insulated tank is a very efficient source for providing hot water.

Tankless Water Heaters A tankless water heater contains no storage tank for hot water; a great benefit for applications with limited space. Water is only heated when a hot water tap is turned on. When a hot water tap is turned the system recognizes the demand for hot water. Water is then heated until the tap is turned back to its off position. Tankless water heaters are also referred to as "on demand" water heaters because they provide hot water on demand. By only turning on when there is a call for hot water, tankless water heaters avoid standby heat loss entirely, thereby saving energy and money. At PexSupply.com, we offer a wide selection of Takagi, Eemax, and Stiebel Eltron tankless water heaters.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Gas, Oil, Propane & Electric Water Heaters

Natural Gas
Natural gas units produce hot water quickly and can either be vented through a chimney or wall. These units are available in various sizes and models. The heater must be located in a position with access to the gas line and chimney.

Propane Gas
Propane water heaters have similar venting requirements as natural gas water heaters. Most liquid propane (LP) comes from processing natural gas, so it is slightly more expensive. However, propane burns nearly three times hotter so this compensates for the higher cost. A propane gas water heater requires a liquid propane storage tank and regular fuel delivery.

Oil
Oil water heaters produce hot water faster than any other method. This means a smaller storage tank and a quicker recovery time. However, there are fewer models from which to choose. An oil water heater requires a heating oil storage tank and regular fuel delivery.

Electric
Electric water heaters are easy to install and are available in various sizes and models. They do not require special venting and can be located in many areas of the home. Heating water with electricity requires more energy in comparison to other energy sources, but electric water heaters tend to have larger storage volumes to compensate for this.

At PexSupply.com, we offer a huge selection of AO Smith, Bradford White, Weil Mclain, Lochnivar, Burnham, Amtrol, Peerless, Buderus, and Triangle Tube water heaters to suit your hot water needs. In addition, you can also find a wide range of accessories and replacement parts for your water heaters here.