Kissimmee, FL Water Heating F.A.Q.

Storage tank water heaters are the most frequently used water heaters in North America. A storage tank water heater keeps water hot 24 hours a day, even when you are sleeping or at work. On the other hand, mini split air conditioners do not store hot water; they simply heat it as you use it.

Whenever you open a faucet, the flow of the water triggers the furnace to turn on. Whether you use gas or electricity, the powerful gas burners or electrical elements will turn on, rapidly heating the water as it passes through the unit. The water is heated instantly, and the time it takes to obtain hot water is largely proportional to the distance the hot water has to travel from the water heater to where hot water is being used. The burners or elements then shut down once you turn off the hot water. The energy that is consumed is only for the hot water that is being used.

A tankless water heater turns on when its faucet is opened and turns off once the faucet is closed, so you are only using as much energy as you need. Since there is no water storage, water is not being constantly heated and re-heated, which means you are not wasting any energy heating water when it is not being used.

If you have a large family – say four or more people – you will want to install a water heater with a tank that can hold between 50 and 80 gallons of water at a time. On the other hand, if you live in a small home, with only one other person, you will probably be better suited to a unit that holds 23-36 gallons.

Traditional tank water heaters wear down quicker due to sediment build-up in the tank. This is why it is good to flush out your water heater about once a year. You can also help reduce the effects of hard, boulder water by checking and replacing your anode rod (the component that reduces sediment and bacteria in your tank) as necessary, and potentially installing a water treatment system, to reduce rust and build-up in your water supply. Of course, you can always call the professionals, us , for expert maintenance service for your units.

Traditional and tankless models have different pros and cons. Traditional models are a lot less costly to install, so from a price standpoint, they are the better option than tankless models. Although tankless systems are more expensive to install and repair than traditional ones, they are also more energy-efficient as they do not use energy reheating water in a tank over time.

It could be time to invest in a brand new water heating system if your existing water heating system is over 12 years old. Hot water heater tanks become calcified, create noises, can cause leaks, and also stop heating water if they get too old. These are all indications it’s time to change your water heating system.

EF is a measurement of a water heater’s overall efficiency. The EF rating is calculated by comparing the energy in the heated water to the unit’s total daily energy consumption.