When it’s cold outside, a hot shower is a must-have for any home after a long day at the office. To make sure that you aren’t left out in the cold, you should always make sure that your hot water system is working properly and is the right size for your home. People who are afraid of cold showers might want to think about getting a new hot water system. Here are some things to think about before upgrading or installing a new hot water system.
Hot Water Systems Types
Types are the first thing to think about. For your home, what kind of hot water system do you need? It can vary a lot, depending on your situation, needs, and where you live. However, below are a few of the options that are available.
Electric Hot Water System
An electric hot water system is usually the cheapest to start with, but the costliest to run in the long run. This is because it takes a long time to heat the water. In some cases, your water is heated at off-peak times to save money on running costs. However, this water needs to last you all day, which can sometimes be a problem if you’re the last person to take a shower at night. As a bonus, if they aren’t powered by renewable energy sources like solar or wind, they aren’t good for the Earth.
Gas Hot Water System
Gas hot water systems are good for the environment because they don’t produce as many glasshouse gas emissions and, depending on where you live, can also have lower usage rates than electric systems. Because they’re so expensive and less reliable, they’re only good if you have access to a gas main, but only if you don’t have a gas bottle. They are usually outside, though, or they have a good exhaust vent inside to keep everyone safe.
Solar Hot Water System
There are a lot of people who know about the benefits of solar hot water, and they are right about that. A solar hot water system can cut back on your electricity bills and help the environment by up to 90%. This means less money spent on electricity and a lot less waste. Costs for them to buy and instal can be double or even triple those for other types of hot water. During overcast days, they can also be a little shaky. Most gas or electric water heaters have a backup gas or electric system to make sure you always have enough hot water.
Heat Pump Hot Water
Another option is a heat pump system, which is one of the most energy-efficient (meaning less long-term energy costs, because they are up to three times more efficient than most electric systems). However, it is also one of the most expensive types of system to put in, because it takes a lot of time and money to do. Because a heat pump water heater needs to be used in warmer places, it doesn’t work very well in cold places (ironically, it doesn’t heat water very well in cold places!).