Water Heaters
Did you know water heaters typically account for 17 percent of the average Battle Creek, MI, area homeowner's energy use? Choosing the right water heater and taking good care of it goes a long way toward adding comfort and value to your home.
And it can also help lower your utility bills. Water heaters come in various shapes, sizes, and designs to accommodate different homes and needs. Our team at Better World Builders wants to help you find the water heater that perfectly fits your household.
In recent years, water heaters have become much more efficient, thanks to growing consumer awareness. Many Michigan homeowners are switching to energy-saving models. While some of these heaters cost more up-front, they save money in the long run and are easier on the environment.
Heat Pump Water Heater
Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are similar to heat pumps for space heating, except they produce hot water instead of hot air. In other words, Heat Pump Water Heaters use electricity to pull heat from the surrounding air and transfer it into a hot water tank.
Like heat pumps, it transfers heat instead of creating it, leading to efficiency gains, utility bill savings, and greenhouse gas reductions. By transferring heat instead of creating it, they don’t combust fossil fuels, making them two to three times more efficient than most current hot water systems.
These efficiency gains translate to hundreds of dollars per year in savings for an average household and because they are not connected to the gas grid, heat pump water heaters also do not contribute damaging methane leaks into the atmosphere.
Tank Water Heaters
Traditional storage tank water heaters are the most affordable and popular tanks on the market. They resemble a large metal barrel. The water enters through the main water supply pipe. The tank then heats the water and keeps it at the desired temperature, using energy such as natural gas, propane, oil, or electricity.
Storage water heaters typically last 10 to 15 years. The tank can hold 20 to 80 gallons of water at a time. Insulated models keep the water hot for longer periods, helping you save on utilities. These systems are reliable, affordable, and relatively easy to install.
Tankless Water Heaters
Want a more sustainable solution? A tankless water heater may be more fitting to your home's needs. It works differently than a traditional storage water heater.
Rather than keeping heated water stored, a tankless water heater heats cold water on demand—whenever you turn on a faucet. No more waiting for your water to heat up. Without the need to store gallons of water, there's no tank, making the tankless heater much more compact.
This provides you more flexibility when it comes to installation in your Michigan home. Our Better World Builders team also offers options for both indoor and outdoor models.
With this type of on-demand process, the energy efficiency is high. You are only using energy to heat the water precisely when you need it, so this keeps your energy costs low by conserving water. You will more than make up the initial cost of your tankless model in energy savings over the long haul.
Installing a tankless water heater in your Battle Creek, MI, area home offers you another tool for creating an energy-efficiency household for you and your loved ones.
Unlike a conventional water heater that continuously heats water whether you are using it or not, a tankless model only heats water when you turn on the faucet. The difference can save you hundreds of dollars each year in heating bills.
Tankless models also use up less space. Instead of trying to fit a storage tank that might hold up to 80 gallons of water in a utility room, a tankless system is a relatively small metal box that mounts to your wall.
Our Better World Builders team takes a lot of pride in helping Michigan customers spend less on utilities while lowering their carbon footprint. We specialize in finding practical heating and cooling solutions that fit your budget and lifestyle.
Go green—go tankless!
How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?
Whenever you turn on a faucet or start the dishwater in your home, cold water flows through a heat exchanger in the tankless unit. You can heat the water through a natural gas burner or electric heating coils.
You no longer have to wait for a storage tank to fill—you enjoy an on-demand, endless supply of hot water. Plus, you don’t have an appliance constantly heating water, even when nobody is home.
These savings start to add up over time. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), water heating is the second largest expense in your home, accounting for up to 18 percent of your utility bills.
Tank Versus Tankless
A tankless system costs more upfront to install than a tank water heater, but you’ll save money over time through lower energy bills. The life expectancy for a tankless model is 20 years or more, while a storage tank model will typically last 10 to 15 years.
Not only do tankless models use less space, but there is no fear of water leaking out and flooding an area of your home.
Tankless models have a limited flow rate, meaning they might struggle with multiple uses. If one person is showering, another doing laundry, and a third person doing dishes—all at the same time—a tankless heater might not be able to keep up.
A traditional water heater that stores over 30 gallons of water will have no problem providing enough hot water. Your solution? Install two small tankless heaters: one for your appliances and the other for personal use.
Water Heater Installation and Replacement
Looking for a new water heater? Let Better World Builders help you out! We'll work with you to find the best water heater to meet your needs and budget. We want to be sure you have a heater you're satisfied with that will last you as long as possible.
If you are spending more and more on repairs on your current water heater, it may be time to replace it with an upgrade. A higher-efficiency model can help you save money on your energy expenses here in the Battle Creek, MI, area. Over time, these savings will cover the investment you made on your new water heater. We also offer financing, so be sure to ask about our available options!
For more information, contact us at (269) 383-7862 or request service online today!