Water Heater
GTA Leading provider of heating, cooling, and water heating and treatment needs for over 15 years.
GTA Leading provider of heating, cooling, and water heating and treatment needs for over 15 years.
Tank heaters are the standard method for heating water, as they do their job well and have a much lower upfront installation cost. However, they have half the expected lifespan of a tankless heater and consume much more energy to run (mostly due to standby heat loss).
Although a conventional storage tank water heater is still an important and well-performing piece of equipment, it is good to know what else is out there on the market — especially if you’re looking to renovate or replace.
Direct vent water heaters are very popular in Canada. In a direct vent water heater, fuel is burned and the heat from the combustion process is used to heat the water. The exhaust gases are then transferred to the outside of the home via the exhaust pipe or chimney.
Direct venting works because the heated air is lighter than cool air and in turn, will rise naturally due to the difference in buoyancy between the hot and cold air. This is a simple system that works well when the exhaust gases can be vented vertically. No extra power is needed and in turn, the overall hot water heating costs are lower.
A power vent water heater uses a fan or blower to assist in the removal of exhaust gases from the hot water heater. If the water heater is installed in a location that doesn’t have access to a vertical vent or chimney, a power vent water heater may be your only option. Exhaust gases can be pushed through horizontal exhaust pipes with the use of a fan or blower.
The main benefit of a power vent water heater is the ability to locate the water heater away from a chimney. If there is no chimney available, horizontally venting the water heater to the outside through inexpensive venting pipe instead will also benefit the homeowner by saving money.
A power vent water heater will cost more initially due to extra equipment needed such as the fan and blower. Also, you will need to run a power line to the fan which will also add to the cost. Another downside to this is that the blower portion of the water heater will need electricity to operate and will increase your hot water heating costs throughout its lifetime.
Finally, it is known for some people to complain about the sound of the fan running when the hot water heater is operating. While it’s probably only a minor concern, it’s something that should be seriously considered. Proper installation can help to eliminate, or minimize most of this.
Whichever water heater is right for you, depends on your situation with respect to access to a vertical vent (vent stack) path or chimney. To get more information about what type of water heater would be best suited in your home, call the Water Heater experts at ICare Home Comfort today at: (905)-399-9888
We know how frustrating and stressful it can be to run out of hot water. Our technicians will diagnose the problem with your water heater and offer unbiased advice on whether it’s best to repair or replace your unit.
GTA Leading provider of heating, cooling, and water heating and treatment needs for over 15 years.
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