Hot water is a modern convenience that homeowners rely on nearly every day. A water heater system that is capable of meeting the hot water needs of your family is critical to the comfort and safety of your home.
You are probably familiar with traditional water heaters that feature a large storage tank and tankless (or on-demand) water heaters, but there is a third option available to you. A hybrid water heater system could be the best option for your family.
You will have to live with any water heater system you install for many years to come, so take the time to consider how a hybrid system can positively impact your life.
How Hybrid Systems Work
To appreciate the impact a hybrid water heater can have on your home, you need to fully understand how these systems work. Hybrid systems are a combination of a heat pump and a storage tank.
Heat from the ambient air surrounding the water heater is siphoned off and used to increase the temperature of the water within the storage tank. During periods of high demand for hot water, the hybrid system will use electricity to generate heated water instantly.
By combining these two types of heating methods, a hybrid system can provide you with the benefits of both a traditional storage-tank water heater and an on-demand water heater.
Benefits of a Hybrid System
The primary benefit that you will enjoy after installing a hybrid water heater in your home is a reduction in your energy costs. Water heaters are one of the biggest consumers of electricity within any residential property. The more electricity that is required to produce hot water, the more you pay for access to that hot water.
Since a hybrid system has the ability to use the heat in the ambient air surrounding it to produce hot water, reliance on electricity is significantly reduced. This helps to improve the sustainability of your home and allows you to save some money on your monthly utility costs.
Special Considerations
Before you make the choice to install a hybrid water heater in your home, there are some special considerations that must be made. You will need to have an open area in which the hybrid system can be installed. Ample free space must exist around the storage tank to ensure that enough heat can be siphoned off from the surrounding environment to heat your water supply.
You must also take the climate in which you live into consideration. Homes located in regions with extremely high or low temperature fluctuations may not be suitable candidates for a hybrid system. The extraction of heat from the ambient air in your home can interfere with heating and cooling processes in extreme climates.
It's important that your home relies on electricity to power major appliances as well. Hybrid systems function best when connected to an electrical grid instead of a natural gas pipeline.
Discovering that your water heater is no longer functioning efficiently can be frustrating, but it gives you the opportunity to take advantage of the latest technology in water heating by installing a new system.
There is no doubt that a hybrid water heater system can save you a substantial amount of money (62% when compared with traditional water heaters). An experienced plumbing professional will be able to evaluate your family's unique water needs and the layout of your home to determine if a hybrid system is a viable option.
Contact
Ernie's Plumbing & Sewer Service if you want to learn more about the value a hybrid water heater system can add to your home.