Every single residence has a daily need for hot water. Zeek Plumbing will review below the different types of water heaters or hot water systems you can have. Whether it’s a standard unit, tankless, combination boiler (heat & hot water) or boiler with an indirect water heater, you will have one of these systems in your home.
Storage Tank Water Heaters
A storage tank or “standard” water heater is the most common type of water heater. Whether it is electric, gas, or propane, the unit makes hot water which is stored in the tank for use. The standard warranty on a storage tank is 6 years, but they can be upgraded to a 10 year with a fee to the manufacturer. The average lifespan of a water heater is around 10 years or so, depending on the quality of the water. Again, these are the most common water heaters in residential homes. The major difference in the storage tank units comes from the type of venting. There are power vent units, which are piped directly outside the foundation with PVC and an electric operated fan. There are atmospheric units, which are vented with flue piping (shown in picture above).
If you are interested in confirming pricing for a new unit, please contact us at 866-635-0200 or use our book online feature!
High Efficiency Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are the new water heating technology. These units use energy very efficiently and can be up to 95% efficient depending on the model. In the long run, you will save more money on energy costs vs the cost of install. There are plenty of incentives, rebates, and financing through NJ Natural Gas Save Green Project. Zeek Plumbing is a certified contractor through NJ Natural Gas and we are very experienced in completing these types of installs/rebates.
These units are considered “on demand” and they only make hot water when you are using them. This can lead to problems if you have a larger home or use multiple hot water fixtures at the same time as the unit cannot keep up with the demand for hot water. For example, if the dishwasher, washing machine, and shower(s) are running at the same time, you may not have enough hot water for those fixtures. Gas is a better heating element as it can make hot water quicker than an electric unit. Zeek Plumbing seldomly recommends installing an electric tankless unit. They simply heat water too slowly. However, If you are interested in learning more about tankless units or have additional questions about the NJNG Save Green Program, please contact our office at 866-635-0200.
High Efficiency Combi Boiler
Similar to wall mounted tankless water heaters, there are wall mounted tankless boilers. These units are also very efficient, but they handle both hot water and your heat. These high efficiency boilers meet the requirements for more energy rebates and financing options with NJNG SaveGreen Project. High efficiency boilers typically have a larger BTU/gas load as it is handling both hot water and heat vs a tankless water heater only. However, boilers should be cleaned and serviced annually prior to the heating season. Over time, sensors and piping can become clogged with soot. If you converted from oil to natural gas and installed a high efficiency combi boiler, you will notice the energy cost savings.
Contact Zeek Plumbing to schedule your boiler service today!
Boiler with indirect water heater
For a heating system with a boiler and indirect water heater, the boiler heats the water indirectly through the heat exchanger located inside of the indirect unit. The hot water it creates is then stored inside the indirect unit for use. Typically, these systems are used when you have an oil boiler and still want efficient heating. We stress the importance of having this type of system serviced annually, as oil is “dirtier” than gas. There will be soot, debris, and dirt building up inside an oil boiler, and if it isn’t serviced, you will have issues. Several manufacturers warranties can be voided, if the unit is not properly serviced annually. Zeek Plumbing can assist you with your annual boiler service/cleaning.
Zeek Plumbing’s Recommendation
With plumbing, all recommendations change on a case by case basis. Zeek Plumbing may recommend a tankless water heater for a townhome in Denville, but never for a large 5 bathroom home in Chatham. Similarly, we may recommend a 75 gallon gas power vent water heater for a multi-family home in Randolph, but never for a 1.5 bath home in Rockaway. Typically, we recommend keeping your plumbing as close to your existing as possible, assuming you had no hot water issues prior, as it keeps installation costs down. If you have a 40 gallon gas water heater that is leaking, we may recommend upgrading to a 50 gallon as the cost difference is minimal and you get another 10 gallons of hot water. However, Zeek Plumbing prides itself on not operating as a high pressure sales company. We will provide you with all the options and educate you on our recommendations, but we will not upsell you on a system that is completely overkill. Call Zeek Plumbing today at 866-635-0200 to learn more about our pricing!
