What Are The Pros And Cons Of An Indirect Water Heater?

Water heating is one of those things that homeowners can’t skimp out on. When you’re putting together a home, you want to make sure that the water you get is piping hot and also has a high degree of efficiency. In recent years, indirect water heaters have been making their rounds online. People are starting to get interested in them, but they aren’t for everyone. How can you tell if this type of heater is right for you?

Indirect water heaters are highly energy-efficient and can be powered by a wide range of different heating sources. They are simple, require little maintenance, and have a modern design. However, they require larger storage tanks to work and may not be as capable of keeping water hot as other models.

There are plenty of reasons why people are now choosing to switch to an indirect water heater. If you’re in the market for a new water heating system, learning about this innovative new system style is a must.

Before we can talk about the perks and pitfalls of this heater, we need to understand how this heater works. An indirect water heater is a water heater that uses your home’s boiler/furnace to heat water through a heat exchange. The heat exchange that keeps your water hot is in a storage tank.

By setting up a way for the boiler to do double-duty on heating, the indirect water heater system is able to reduce the amount of energy required for keeping water hot. This helps cut bills and also makes your entire layout easier to maintain.

So, it’s clear that indirect water heaters make a lot of sense for the right person, but as the warning suggests, it’s not always doable. Price is an issue. (Sure, one could argue that price is always an issue with water heaters, but here it’s even bigger of an issue.) So, how much should you sock away if you want to have an indirect water heater?

An indirect water heater will cost anywhere from $800 to $1500 on average. Most companies that offer water heaters will offer a free installation. If you choose to buy your heater and go to a separate professional to get it installed, you might have to pay an additional $150 to $800, depending on the type of labor you need to have done.

It’s worth noting that these cost estimates do not include oversizing your boiler, if you need to do that. That can add additional fees, but how much it’ll cost can vary greatly.

Energy efficiency is a major attraction for people who are looking to switch to using an indirect water heater. If you are worried about the slowly increasing price of energy, you’re not alone. The good news is that using an indirect water heater can drastically decrease your monthly bills in this department.

According to anecdotal evidence (and a couple of studies), you can expect to see as much as a 20 to 30 percent decrease on your energy bills from month to month. However, individual results can vary greatly, which means that there is no guarantee on what you should expect. A good rule of thumb is that you’ll see greater savings if your current system is outdated.

One thing you will get to enjoy as an indirect water heater owner is the heater’s longevity. Most water heaters in this category come with a lifetime limited warranty, not to mention excellent workmanship. With typical care and maintenance, a standard indirect water heater can last for as long as 20 to 30 years.

The most important factor to consider when you’re trying to figure out a potential heater lifespan is the warranty. If you have a good brand with a decent warranty, then you don’t have to worry about much when it comes to repairs. Since maintenance isn’t that big of a problem with these kinds of heaters, focusing on the repairs and reviews will be more than enough.

Related Questions

How long do water heaters last?

How long a water heater lasts will depend heavily on the type of water heater you have as well as the maintenance efforts you put into it. A standard water heater will last between six and 13 years, depending on the maintenance performed as well as the quantity of hard water sediment you have in your water supply.One of the reasons why indirect water heaters are so popular is their longevity. These heaters are capable of lasting between 20 to 30 years with regular maintenance. This makes them the longest-lasting water heaters that money can buy.

Is it possible for a water heater to explode?

Water heaters are built with safety in mind, but that doesn’t mean they’re infallible. Though it’s extremely rare today, it still is possible for a water heater to explode. When they do, the damage can be deadly for anyone that’s currently in the house.With water heaters, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To prevent explosions, keep an eye on your water pressure, address any cause for concerns as they happen, and make sure to get your water heater serviced at least once a year.

How often should you clean a water heater?

Water heaters can collect large amounts of sediment in their lines if they are not properly cared for. To clean a water heater, you will need to flush out the sediment from its lines. This is a fairly simple thing to do, which is good because you need to do it on a semi-regular basis.In order to properly maintain your water heater, you will need to clear out the lines at least once every six months. This will be enough to flush out a typical heater.