If your hot water system breaks down, you probably don’t have much time before you’re left with cold, lukewarm water. Luckily, there are several types of hot water tanks that can improve efficiency, reduce your carbon footprint and extend the life of your water heater. They can also be more affordable than you might think. A good time to upgrade your hot water tank is when you move into a new home or if the plumbing in your house is more than 15 years old. If your hot water system is more than 15 years old, it’s most likely past its useful life and needs to be replaced. If you’re looking to make an upgrade to your hot water tank, keep reading for information on the different types of hot water tanks available so you can make the right choice for your home.

Tankless heaters

A tankless water heater is a type of water heater that delivers hot water from the source to your faucet on demand. Most commonly used in commercial properties or multi-building complexes, they have become more popular in the last few years. These water heaters are usually installed in a crawl space or basement. They are sized based on the hot water demand in your home. You can check the water flow rate for your home and compare it to the flow rates of other houses in your area to determine if a tankless water heater is right for you.

Baseliner

The baseliner is a large, round water tank attached to the wall of your home. The water is heated by a small heater in the tank and pumped through a network of pipes to your faucets. The baseliner can be installed inside or outside of the home, depending on how much space you have. Baseliners can be used in both commercial and residential properties. Their size and placement depend on the size of your home and the amount of hot water you use.

Dedicated tank

A dedicated tank is a large, round water tank that is connected directly to the main water supply. The water is heated by a small electric or gas heater that is installed in the tank. The water from the main supply enters the tank, and the water inside is heated by the electric or gas heater and then pumped out to your faucets. Dedicated water tanks can be installed inside or outside of the home, depending on how much space you have available. If your home has a large hot water tank inside, a dedicated tank can be used to supplement the water supply.

Rigid plate heaters

Rigid plate heaters are large metal boxes with water-filled compartments. The water circulates through the compartments and is then heated by a burner inside the box before being pumped to the faucets. The water inside the compartments is cooled by the air outside the box. The burner inside the box heats the water to a specific temperature. Different types of burners are used to maintain different temperatures in the water. The burner inside the tank is controlled by a thermostat. A burner will continue to heat the water until the thermostat shuts it off.

Conclusion

A hot water tank is a central component of a home’s plumbing system, and it is used to store hot water that can be pumped out to the faucets when needed. There are many tank types that are available, depending on your needs and location of your home. If you’re looking to upgrade your hot water tank, it’s important to consider your water usage and the efficiency of the tank. You should also check local regulations and ordinances to ensure that you are in compliance with state and municipal regulations.

Frequently Asked Question

While you technically can install a hot water heater yourself as a homeowner, the likelihood that this is a good or safe idea is very slim. Trust the professionals with your hot water heater installation to make sure it's done correctly. You wouldn't want to cause yourself or your family any harm.
The higher cost is a result of a more labor-intensive set-up, as new gas and water lines are required for installation. For a new tankless water heater, new electric wiring will need to be installed.
Turn off all water supplies in the house. Turn on all the hot water faucets in the house in order to drain what is left in the existing hot water heater. Then, disconnect the water line that connects the water heater to the rest of the house. There is often a connection on a hose that you can simply unscrew.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire's disease.
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon hot water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
Turn up the thermostat on the hot water heater. One of the easiest ways to make a hot shower last longer is by using less hot water while it's at a higher temperature. To do this, turn up the temperature on the thermostat that's attached to the hot water heater tank. (Not the thermostat on the wall.)