Top 7 Trends With Hot Water Systems To Watch In 2017

Hot water heaters are constantly improving, models are becoming more energy efficient to meet the demands of those who want to both save money on their energy bill and help the environment. Different types of hot water heaters are becoming more popular, people no longer just want gas and electric tank heaters. Instead, they seem to be slowly gravitating towards solar, or tankless models. So, if you plan on upgrading from your current model or you plan on buying a new water heater in the near future, then here are some trends that you may want to use to keep in mind when shopping for your new water heater.

1) Tankless water heaters

There has been an increasing shift towards tankless water heaters, while traditional water heater models are still king of the castle, tankless water heaters are becoming a popular alternative. For those who have never seen a tankless water heater or have no idea how they work, they are actually quite simple to understand. Regular water heaters fill up with water and then proceed to heat the water contained in the tank. The benefit to this method is that you will generally have hot water as soon as you need it. The obvious downside is that it is extremely inefficient. Tankless water heaters heat water as it is needed, they do not store heated water. This is far more energy efficient, but it does have the obvious downside of taking a bit longer to actually deliver hot water. Still, if you live in a house with only one or two people, then a tankless water heater is a great way to both save a bit of money on your monthly energy bill and help the environment out. With this in mind, it should not be surprising that more people are turning towards tankless water heaters.

2) Solar water heaters

Due to their relatively low energy usage, solar water heaters are becoming a popular option for those looking to either save money or reduce their energy footprint. Solar may not seem like a practical option; solar tends to be unreliable, and lack of sufficient sunlight could lead to someone being left with no hot water. But, newer models heat water quicker and have backup ways of heating water if for some reason the solar power is not able to keep up with the demand for hot water. So, solar tanks are actually decent options, and as the technology becomes even better, look for more people to make the switch to solar powered water heaters.

3) Automation

Newer water heater models commonly include either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities. The reason being that more and more homeowners are taking the plunge into home automation, and want the ability to remotely control and monitor their hot water levels. As time goes on and home automation becomes even more popular, except more and more water heaters to include Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities. If you plan on automating your home in the future, you might want to look for a hot water heater that has these capabilities.

4) Need for precise installation

As water heaters become more advanced, the margin for error in installation dramatically decreases. With modern water heaters, most failures within the first few years or so can generally be traced back to the incorrect installation. So, it is more important than ever that if you buy a water heater, you get a trusted, reputable plumbing company to install it. The risk of failure is too great for you not to.

5) Efficiency is key

One thing consumers have been pushing the water heater industry towards is greater efficiency. It used to be that efficient water heaters were generally weaker than regular water heaters. With modern water heating technology, it is easier than ever to get a water heater that both meets the hot water needs of a big family, while still being energy efficient. Energy bills can really make a dent in someone’s finances, so it is no surprise that people are looking to cut their energy costs in any way possible, and one key way of doing so is by switching to a more efficient form of water heating.

6) Regular replacements

Traditionally, most people tend not to replace their water heaters until it is too late and their basement has been flooded. This is the wrong way to go about things, and increasingly plumbers have begun to seriously educate people on the necessity of checking and replacing their water heaters regularly. The average water heater has a lifespan of just under 15 years, and yet people often use their water heaters for much longer than that. This is both dangerous and expensive (the older a water heater gets, the less efficient it gets, meaning it costs more to heat water; not to mention the costs associated with flooding). Regular replacement of water heaters is a great way to save money and avoid costly flooding damages, so expect this trend to continue.

7) More consumer options

This is probably the most important trend of them all. As water heater technology advances, consumers are being given more options than ever before when it comes to how they heat their water. Consumers are no longer limited to just choosing between gas or electric water heaters and then having the plumber do the rest; there are more options for consumers who want to save money and reduce their environmental footprint.

There has never been a better time to buy a water heater (especially if you are in the mood to save some money or help out the environment), a number of options available to a consumer are truly mind boggling. So, if you are sitting on an old water heater that is almost near the end of its lifespan, do not hesitate, go out and start looking for a new water heater right away. With a little bit of searching, you will be able to find the perfect water heater that fits you and your family’s needs.