Water Heaters

Close up of the controls on a water heater.

Heating water can account for up to 20 percent of your average home energy bill. With new green initiatives for energy efficiency, most people are replacing their old water heaters with new, more energy-efficient models. These new water heaters may be more expensive up front but will save you money in the long run.

There are four different types of water heaters:

  • Storage-tank heaters
  • Tankless heaters
  • Hybrid electric heaters
  • Solar water heaters

Storage-Tank Heaters

Storage-tank heaters are basically tall cylinders filled by a cold-water pipe, and water is heated in the tank, then distributed through a hot-water pipe. These are typically fueled by gas and can run off a separate line or your already-established natural gas line. Sometimes you will see these heated by oil or electric, but gas is the most economical way to heat this.

Tankless Heaters

Tankless heaters are sometimes called “instantaneous water heaters” and are often no bigger than a suitcase. They heat only the amount of water needed by an electric coil or natural gas. Tankless heaters have a longer life expectancy and are more energy efficient, but they have a limited flow rate that can be an issue with larger households.

Hybrid Electric Heaters

Hybrid electric heaters are conventional water heaters paired with a heat pump, in which a heat pump is used to heat the water in your tank. These are two to three times more energy efficient than a typical storage-tank heater and cost less to operate. These systems are dependent on the geographical location of your home and the space where they will be installed.

Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heaters are similar to an electric water heater, but instead of using a heat pump to heat the water, solar energy is used. This system works the same to heat the water as a heat pump, by transferring heat and energy to a coil system––using solar energy rather than ground energy. These systems are up to 50 percent more energy efficient than their counterparts but also require a backup system for use on cloudy or high-demand days.

Choosing A Water Heater

Water heaters are sold based on how many gallons they hold. But more importantly, you want to look at the “first-hour rating” for storage-tank water heaters and “gallons-per-minute” rating for tankless. These numbers will give you a better idea of how much hot water you will get within a set amount of time.

The size and type of water heater that will work best for your family can be a complicated decision to make. Contact us or request service online, and one of our certified technicians can tell you what size and type of water heater will best suit your needs.

Need Water Heater Service?

Contact the experts at Great Dane Heating & Air Conditioning.

Call us at 586.790.2604!

Customer Reviews

“We were having what we thought was an exhaust issue with our hot water tank, Adam P. Took his time and explained everything thing he was doing to ease our minds, he went over and beyond when checking our HVAC system. He was kind and professional. Everything was done in a timely manner from the initial phone call” – Annette K.

“5 Stars Across the board. We have been very pleased with the service and support that we have received from Great Dane. From scheduling regular maintenance to project work to reroute gas lines for the water heater, the technicians that have come on site, the staff in the office. Everyone we have spoken to have been friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely customer focused. They all seem to have one goal which is to make sure the customer is happy. Thank You!!!”

– Rey L.

“I would like to Thank You for the great service on my Hot Water Tank today. The 2 young men who came out were wonderful i only remember one of their names it was Justin, they both were very hard workers, they did their job in a very timely matter, they cleaned everything and explained everything to me. They were both very well spoken and very nice and did their work perfect again Thank You for having such great workers. I Love the PAWS on the T-Shirts!”

– Patricia B.

“Fire goes out now & again in my Bradford White water heater. Could not get it to light 4th of July. Brian called & told me EXACTLY how to do it. I was doubtful, but — IT WORKED!!!”

– James K.