Everyone loves a nice, steaming hot, relaxing shower. Or maybe a bath is more your style. Either way, it is essential that you have enough hot water available, and that it is available when you need it! Hot water isn’t just for leisure, you also need it to do essential tasks like washing dishes and cleaning clothes.

So how does hot water get hot? Where does it come from? Can I get it a different way? All these questions can be answered by learning about hot water heaters!

Storage Water Heaters

Storage water heaters, or tank-type water heaters, are currently the most common type of water heater. When you see one, you know exactly what it is. These standard water heaters are large, cylinder tanks, which contain anywhere from 20 to 100 gallons of water. All the water inside them is heated at once, and kept at a high temperature. Once all the hot water inside a storage water heater has been used up, it has to replenish and reheat. This can take a while, sometimes as long as an hour.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters, also known as instantaneous water heaters, are a new, more advanced type of water heater. They are quickly gaining popularity because they can deliver an endless supply of hot water on demand. They use heat exchanging copper coils which transmit warmth extremely rapidly into water. They are more expensive than traditional storage water heaters, but they are also more energy efficient. Purchasing a tankless water heater may break the bank now, but you will see savings in the long run.

Solar Heaters

Solar water heaters use solar panel technology to turn the light of the sun into hot water. Solar panels gather warmth and solar energy, which then moves to a heat transfer fluid, which is then used to heat water. Solar heaters are the most energy efficient water heaters on the market, and are excellent options for homeowners living in sunny states like New Mexico or Arizona.