Choosing the Best Water Heater for Your Michigan Home: A Guide

Your water heater is an integral part of your home. Without hot water, your showers will be icy, and your laundry will not get clean. Your water heater keeps you as cozy as a cup of hot tea on a snowy day, so keeping your water heater in good working order is essential.

But what kind of water heater do you have, and is it the most efficient option for your needs? If your water heater is over 10 years old or doesn’t work as well as it used to, it might be time to replace it with a more energy-efficient model.

Not sure what water heater is right for your home? Keep reading, and then contact our water heater installation experts at 844-HVAC-365 to schedule your free, no-hassle estimate!

Traditional Water Heaters

A traditional water heater, also known as a storage water heater, is a big tank that stores hot water. The tank is insulated to keep the water hot until you need it. These water heaters heat the water using electricity, natural gas, or propane.

Pros of Traditional Water Heaters

• They’ve been around for a long time and have a simple design, making them reliable and easier to repair than other types of water heaters.
• They’re cheaper to buy and install than tankless water heaters.
• Because the water is stored in a large tank and kept consistently hot, traditional water heaters usually provide a steady supply of hot water at a consistent temperature.

Cons of Traditional Water Heaters

• They heat and reheat water at a pre-set temperature, even if you’re not using it.
• They have a limited hot water supply.
• They can be large and take up a lot of space.

Electric Water Heaters

An electric water heater is a type of water heater that uses electricity to heat water for use in your home. It works the same way as a traditional storage water heater, except it uses electricity to power itself and heat the water.

Pros of Electric Water Heaters

• They’re safer than gas water heaters since they don’t burn fuel and don’t produce exhaust or carbon monoxide.
• They are usually easier and less expensive to install than gas water heaters.
• They have a longer life span and require less maintenance than gas water heaters.

Cons of Electric Water Heaters

• They have higher operating costs since electricity costs more than gas.
• Electric water heaters heat water slower than gas water heaters.
• If your power goes out, you won’t have hot water.

Natural Gas Water Heaters

A gas water heater uses natural gas or propane to heat water for your home. A gas burner under the tank heats the water, and exhaust gases are vented from the house via a chimney or vent pipe.

Pros of Gas Water Heaters

• They heat water faster than electric water heaters.
• Natural gas is cheaper than electricity, so its operating costs are cheaper than an electric water heater.
• It’ll work during a power outage, so you won’t lose power to the system or hot water.

Cons of Gas Water Heaters

• Gas water heaters could leak gas or cause carbon monoxide poisoning without proper venting.
• They’re more expensive to install if your home lacks gas line plumbing.
• They don’t last as long as electric water heaters and require more maintenance and repair.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, heat water directly without needing storage tanks. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit, and a gas burner heats the water. As a result, tankless water heaters deliver a constant, endless hot water supply, eliminating the need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with enough hot water.

Pros of Tankless Water Heaters

• They’re super energy-efficient!
• They provide an endless supply of hot water.
• They’re much smaller than tank water heaters and can be installed in small spaces.
• Their life span can be 20 years or more if properly maintained.

Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

• It costs more upfront than a traditional water heater.
• Low water flow or sudden water pressure changes can affect water temperature.

Schedule Water Heater Services With Vredevoogd

Vredevoogd has served Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and more since 1964. Our team takes pride in providing water heater solutions to our neighbors, offering same-day services, free estimates on replacements, financing options, and discounts for military and veterans in our community. Vredevoogd, providing peace of mind for over 50 years.

Contact the water heater experts at Vredevoogd at 844-HVAC-365 to schedule a free estimate on your replacement today!