Orange County is not a part of the U.S. where people have many concerns about “home heating.” Even the coldest winters are mild, and electric furnaces can manage the work of comfort. However, there is one home heating system that’s essential, even in sunny and warm Southern California: the water heater. This appliance accounts for the majority of heating energy any home uses, and it often puts in work 365 days a year.
So when you’re searching for a new water heater installation in Mission Viejo, CA or elsewhere in Orange County, you want to pick a unit that will do the best job, work for many years, and help conserve energy. With more types of water heaters on the market than ever before, making the choice can be difficult. We can help! Below is a short guide to your options. Schedule installation with our pro plumbers and they’ll ensure you end up with the best possible unit.
Natural gas storage tank water heater
This is the most common type of water heater in the country. It’s reliable, delivers hot water to the taps fast, and because of the cost of natural gas compared to electricity, it’s a cost-effective choice. Of course, you need a natural gas line for one to work, and like any storage tank water heater, it can run out of its hot water supply if there’s too much demand placed on it.
Electric storage tank water heater
A frequent choice for homes without natural gas. An electric water heater runs current through coils in heating elements stored inside the tank to warm up the water. Although costlier to run than natural gas water heaters, an electric water heater is less expensive to install and often lasts longer.
Tankless water heater
The technology of tankless water heaters has been around for more than a century. However, only during the last decade have they made inroads into homes, and they’ve become popular in a short time. A tankless water heater (which comes in both gas and electric models) heats up water as it’s needed, rather than storing a heated supply in a tank. This makes tankless systems less costly to run—and they don’t run out of hot water, either. They also can last longer than tank systems. However, they do cost more upfront, and it may take more than one to meet the hot water demands of a large household.
Heat pump water heaters
Electric water heaters cost much more to run compared to natural gas models. But there’s an option for electric water heaters that fixes this problem: the heat pump water heater. This unit uses a heat pump to remove thermal energy from the air around the water heater and then moves the heat into the tank. This consumes far less electricity than standard electrical resistance heating because heat is only being moved from one place to another. Heat pump water heaters do have a few specific requirements for placement and the conditions necessary for best operation.