Water heaters are some of the most vital plumbing systems in any home or office. They are functional systems that heat cold water ensuring that all the basic hot water needs, such as showering and cleaning, are met satisfactorily. Obviously, you should choose the most befitting type or model of a water heater depending on your specific hot water needs and preferences as a homeowner or business owner. Conventional storage water heaters are still the most popular heating systems for the home. They are also very common in commercial and corporate settings. Basically, conventional storage water heaters consist of a heating element and a storage reservoir that holds hot water throughout. Storage water heaters are powered by various energy sources including natural gas, fuel oil, electricity, and propane. Before you learn about the advantages and disadvantages of using conventional storage water heaters, you need to know how they work.
How They Work
Conventional storage water heaters produce hot water from the top of the storage tank upon turning on the hot water tap. Consequently, cold water flows into the bottom of the storage tank; thereby refilling the reservoir automatically. Because the system maintains a steady supply of hot water, storage water heaters are characterized by energy loss in the form of standby heat loss. Although they are relatively easy to acquire and install, storage water heaters require regular inspection and maintenance to enhance performance. For instance, the storage tank should be flushed with water regularly to remove sediments and the temperature and pressure valves should be inspected for damage every few months.
Pros
The first advantage of installing a conventional storage water heater system is that it requires very low initial costs. Compared to other water heaters, storage water heaters are the most affordable models in the market today; hence their popularity. Secondly, storage water heaters are very easy to install. Before you purchase any type of water, it is advisable to consult a reliable plumber in your locality for professional advice on the project. Even if you are getting a heater for your business or company, discuss the acquisition and installation details with any professional DC commercial plumber before implementing the project. Conventional storage water heaters also allow for multiple/simultaneous use of hot water at home. These models are simple, reliable and very versatile to install. Finally, storage heaters are long lasting because they have no fans or pumps that can get worn out with time.
Cons
The main setback of using conventional storage water heaters is that they are highly inefficient in terms of energy usage. Unlike tankless water heaters, storage water heaters are plagued by standby heat loss problems; whereby energy is wasted even when the hot tap is shut off. As such, they are very expensive to operate and maintain. Actually, even the cheapest storage heaters might turn out to be the most expensive when their operating and maintenance costs are factored in. To mitigate this energy loss, modern conventional storage water heaters have thickly insulated tanks and pipes and motorized dampers. Gas and oil storage water heaters feature special modifications to reduce standby heat loss. They have venting modifications, such as the fan-assisted gas water heaters and the atmospheric sealed-combustion water heaters, which ensure minimal energy loss.