What’s the best hot water system for your home? There are various options out there and they are not all equal. Some will work better for your needs than others.

Check out a quick comparison of residential hot water systems here.

Types of Hot Water Systems

There are various hot water systems available for you to choose from. Which will be best for you depends on a few factors including what type of energy is available and what is most important to you.

Electric

Electric water heaters are popular because of their low upfront cost. However, they tend to be more expensive to run, especially if they run during the peak tariff times.

You can lower your bill a bit by setting up the system to only heat water during off-peak times. In this case, you’ll need a storage tank to provide hot water while the system is not running.

Heat Pump

A heat pump is an extremely energy-efficient version of an electric heater. It works by extracting heat from the air so it can use less electricity than a traditional electric system.

This type works best in moderate climates, but some models are designed for cold-weather use. A storage tank is necessary for particularly cold days.

Gas

Natural gas is cheaper than electricity and is a great option if you have a connection to it. The price of gas doesn’t fluctuate throughout the day so you also don’t have to worry about only heating during specific times.

Some systems have a pilot light that continually uses a tiny bit of gas. Others have an electric ignition, which is cheaper, but you won’t have hot water if the power goes out.

Solar

If being environmentally friendly is high on your list of priorities, a solar water heating system is the way to go. These systems cost more to buy and install but can eventually pay for themselves in savings on the running costs. There are also many government incentives available to offset the upfront cost.

Continuous vs Storage Tank

Before you can go ahead with your hot water system installation, you need to pick a heating method. The system can either heat the water ahead of time and store the heated water in a tank or it can heat the water on-demand.

Since there is always a bit of heat loss even in an insulated tank, there is less wasted heat with a continuous system that heats the water on-demand. However, it can take a few minutes for the water to arrive and the system may struggle to keep up with higher than usual usage.

The Size of Your Household and the Size of Your System

Regardless of which type of system you decide on, you need to pick the right size. A system that is too large is wasteful and you’ll spend money on heat that evaporates into thin air. And a system that is too small won’t meet your family’s needs.

Final Thoughts

As you can see there are various considerations when choosing a new hot water system. Always consult a professional and get their input to ensure you get the best fit for your home.