Water Heaters

• Efficient, uses one third the energy of most water heaters
• Healthy and safe, with no fuels, no carbon monoxide risk
• Affordable, with rebates and low operating costs
• Sustainable, with low greenhouse gas emissions
• Widely available from plumbers and large retail stores
• Long-lived, with warranties up to 10 years
• Relatively simple to install, without major disruptions
• Acts as a dehumidifier, drawing moisture from immediate surroundings
• Incentives, rebates, and tax credits, check with NYS Clean Heat , your installer, and your tax advisor

• Size of the unit
  

  

• Its location
  

  

• Air temperature around the unit
  

  

• Noisier than conventional water heaters
  

  

• Air filters require cleaning and replacement
  

  

Cost Considerations

Hot water costs will likely decrease – sometimes significantly – compared to conventional gas, propane, oil, and electric water heaters. If you previously heated with fuel, don’t be surprised to see electric bills rise. Your gas, oil, or propane bills will drop.

This is a conventional storage water heater. It consists of an insulated tank in which water is electrically heated then stored until needed. 

Benefits:

• Low upfront cost
• 10-15 -year life expectancy
• Widely available in a range of sizes

Considerations:

• Use more energy than other water heaters
• Energy can be wasted to keep water in heated to a set temperature
• Can have higher operating and maintenance costs compared to other water heaters

Tankless water heaters provide hot water only as needed without a storage tank. They use intense flashes of heat against water-filled coils. 

Benefits:

• Can use less energy than a storage water heater, depending on user’s behaviors
• Provide a constant supply of hot water
• Can be placed on a wall or under a counter to free up floor space
• Require less space than traditional water heaters
• Have a life expectancy of about 20 years

Considerations:

• Can have a higher upfront cost than storage water heaters
• Limited flow rate of hot water means simultaneous, multiple uses of hot water can stretch the unit to its limits
• May require installing more than one to ensure continuous hot water

Solar water heaters rely on solar energy to generate heat. This type of heater requires two parts: a solar collector and an insulated storage tank. These heaters typically have a backup source of energy for days with minimal sun.

Benefits:

• Can meet almost 100 percent of a home’s hot water needs during warmer months, depending on the weather and exposure to sun
• Significantly more efficient than storage water heaters, resulting in lower energy bills
• Require infrequent professional maintenance
• Approximate 20-year life span
• Use renewable energy, which contributes to a cleaner environment

Considerations:

• Can have a higher upfront cost than conventional and heat pump water heaters
• May require a backup for cloudy days, cold winters, and times of high demand
• Solar collectors must be kept free of debris or snow, for optimal efficiency
• Maintenance is infrequent, but must be performed by a qualified solar contractor