Why Are Indirect Water Heaters So Expensive - Heaterview (2023)

FAQs

Are indirect water heaters more expensive? ›

Indirect Water Heaters

This water heater model is energy efficient, relying on heat created by a boiler or furnace. Although the monthly price of an indirect water heater is low, the initial purchase and water heater installation cost is more expensive than traditional heaters and is priced around $1,500.

An indirect water heater, if used with a high-efficiency boiler and well-insulated tank, can be the least expensive means of providing hot water, particularly if the heat source boiler is set to "cold start." Indirect water heaters are a more efficient choice for most homes, even though they require a storage tank.

By using a heat exchanger to heat water via the space heating unit, indirect hot water heaters perform at the same time you choose to heat the air indoors. This can benefit your energy bill year round but, especially so during the summer months.

Indirect water heaters use a coil inside the tank to heat the water in a very efficient way. This type of water heater costs an average of $1,200 to $3,500.

How much to indirect water heaters cost? 40-gallon indirect water heaters cost between $350 and $1600. On average, the installation would be anywhere between $800 and $1,700.

How long does an indirect water heater last? Indirect water heaters typically last 15-20 years.

Put simply, heating your water via your central heating gas boiler is your cheapest and most efficient option, if you have it.

Typically, a 30-gallon indirect heater is sufficient for a family of 4. However, it will depend on the maximum amount of hot water required per hour according to your preference. Our experienced technicians can help you determine which size heater is best to meet the needs of your family.

Depending on your local utility costs, gas water heaters are typically cheaper to operate than electric. They also cost more upfront than an electric. However, based on energy savings, gas heaters generally make up the difference in price in about one year. Cost: $300 to $600 for gas; $250 to $500 for electric.

“Typically, the higher the cost, the better the unit will run.” You will, however, spend more up front for a gas hot water heater, such as the AO Smith 50-Gallon Proline Gas Water Heater, than you'll spend for a similar-size electric hot water heater, such as the AO Smith 50-Gallon Proline Electric Water Heater (both ...

How much should it cost to replace a 40-gallon water heater? ›

How much does it cost to replace a 40-gallon gas water heater? Standard 40-gallon water heaters range in price from $330 to $1,500 for the equipment alone, or from $500 to $2,500 when you add up the cost of installation.

The recommended temperature for normal residential use is 120°F. The dial on the aquastat does not always reflect the out- coming water temperature, which could occasionally exceed 120°F.

In addition to direct fired gas water heaters, A.O. Smith manufactures indirect water heaters (storage tanks), either with or without integral heat exchangers, in the range of 289-2800 litres.

The main advantage of an indirect system is that even if the water supply to the property is cut off, there's still a reserve of water. For example, you'll still be able to flush the toilet until the loft cistern is empty. Indirect systems also operate at a lower pressure than mains water.

It typically costs somewhere between $650 and $2,400 to replace a 50-gallon hot water heater. Though 40-gallon tanks are the most common, 50-gallon tanks better accommodate households with four to five people and heat 3 to 5 gallons per minute. You can keep costs down by replacing your water heater with the same type.

Water Heater Lifespan

If your tank water heater is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider replacing it. With proper maintenance, a tank water heater tank should last six to 12 years. A tankless water heater can last for more than 20 years. Check your water heater's warranty for the most accurate timelines.

Super Stor indirect fired hot water heaters are made of stainless steel. They do not have nor do they need a sacrificial anode rod when installed correctly and in situations where there are no other problems. They typically last about 20 years.

1-2 people need a 30-gallon water heater. 2-3 people need a 40-gallon water heater. 3-4 people need a 40-50 gallon water heater. 5 or more people need a 50-80 gallon water heater.

A tankless water heater can last up to 20 years, sometimes even longer. Also called “on-demand” water heaters, these appliances do not work continuously to maintain a supply of hot water—and, as a result, they last longer than their tank-style counterparts.

– Longer Lifespan: Tankless water heaters have a long lifespan and require little maintenance. They typically last 20 to 30 years while tank water heaters last 10 to 15 years.

Do indirect water heaters have anode rods? ›

All Aqua Plus® indirect-fired water heaters are equipped with a magnesium anode rod as an added measure of protection against corrosion at the weld joints of our stainless steel tanks. The purpose of the anode rod is to be sacrificial and reduce the damaging effects of aggressive water on the water heater.

Tankless water heaters, as you probably guessed, have no tank. Instead, the device houses coils that superheat the water as it passes through the mechanism to its destination. The result is on-demand hot water that rarely runs out, making it one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat water in your home.

The tankless water heater is—you guessed it—tankless! Because there's no tank, it doesn't work off of capacity; it works off demand. A tankless water heater heats up water as you need it, and it brings hot water to your appliances quickly—and never runs out.

Place a pot or kettle on top to heat your water.

If you have a wood stove, sometimes known as a wood-burning stove, fill it up with firewood and start up a fire. Allow the fire to burn and heat up the stove so it's nice and toasty. Fill a pot or a metal kettle with water and place it on top of the stove.

1 or 2 people—23 to 36 gallons 30-gallon tank. 2 to 4 people—36 to 46 gallons 40-gallon tank. 3 to 5 people—46 to 56 gallons 50-gallon tank electric or 40-gallon gas tank.

Typically, the rule-of-thumb is that you want a 40 gallon tank for 1 to 4 people, a 50 gallon tank for 4 to 6 people, and a 50 gallon high recovery or 75 gallon tank for 6 to 8 people. Energy consumption for 40 and 50 gallon standard water heaters is quite comparable.

Based on typical water usage, a 40-gallon water heater should provide enough daily hot water for 2-4 people in a household.

A tankless water heater can only heat so much water at a time. If you demand more hot water than the unit can generate—for instance, if you run the dishwasher, washing machine and shower at the same time—the temperature of the water will fluctuate since the heater is trying to provide for all three locations at once.

Conventional Storage Water Heaters: You've probably seen a single-family storage water heater before. In fact, they are the most popular home water heating systems. Holding between 20 and 80 gallons, they release hot water from the top of the tank and replace it with cold water at the bottom.

The US Department of Energy estimates tankless water heaters are 8 to 34% more efficient to run than storage water heaters.

What is the most efficient way to heat house water? ›

The best water heating choice for getting your home on the path to becoming an energy efficient home is to install a heat pump water heater (HPWH).

A Rheem water heater is manufactured by the brand Rheem, and it is one of the best on the market. You will find the standard tank water heaters from the brand and the tankless types if that is your preference. The brand also manufactures air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces.

Based on the manufacturer's suggested service life, the life expectancy of a water heater is about eight to 12 years.

With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.

A 40-gallon water heater can provide up to 2 showers in an hour (if you're not using any other water appliances).

120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire's disease.

The ASSE Recommendation

The American Society of Sanitary Engineering recommends that hot water tanks be set from 135 to 140 degrees, to inhibit the growth of Legionella bacteria, with the installation of anti-scald devices and tempering valves to prevent hot water injuries.

Going too low creates the risk of bacteria growing in your pipes or water heater, but going too high leads to the danger of burning. To avoid either extreme, you'll want to find a happy medium. We recommend always keeping the heater set between 110 and 120 degrees.

Rheem Commercial 38 Gallon Indirect Water Heater. Uses the heat generated from a boiler to warm potable water. A cost effective water heating alternative for both home and business. Heavy gauge steel, and high temperature porcelain enamel protects the tank and coil, prolonging life of the product.

Indirect water heaters are a more efficient choice for most homes, even though they require a storage tank. An indirect water heater uses the main furnace or boiler to heat a fluid that's circulated through a heat exchanger in the storage tank.

Are AO Smith water heaters made in China? ›

A. O. Smith Water Products Company is headquartered in Ashland City, Tennessee, home of the world's largest water heater factory. The A. O. Smith network includes five manufacturing facilities in North America, plus plants in Nanjing, China and Veldhoven, The Netherlands.

Energy is saved as pumps are not required to pump water to cistern/tanks. Installation cost is reduced compared to indirect water supply because no storage tank is required and even reduces maintenance cost of tank (underground as well as overhead). It reduces the chances of bacterial contamination.

Immersion Heater

This device heats the water in the cylinder like a kettle using electricity. That makes it quite expensive to run.

Usually natural gas is the cheapest way to heat water, followed by electricity, with propane being the most expensive.

Electricity: Power vent water heaters are required to be plugged into an outlet, which can cause the need for electrical outlet installation, driving up the cost of initial installation. Cost: Power vent systems run about 75% more expensive than other venting systems, on average.

The main disadvantage of an indirect system is the risk of stagnation and contamination that comes with keeping a large quantity of water open to the atmosphere. Current water regulations require cisterns to be fitted with a set of components to ensure the water remains potable, i.e. drinkable.

Heat pump. Heat pump water heaters are highly efficient and use 30% of the energy of a conventional electric hot water system. These systems use a refrigeration cycle to extract heat from the air to heat the water.

The best water heating choice for getting your home on the path to becoming an energy efficient home is to install a heat pump water heater (HPWH).

The average adult uses about 10 gallons of water per shower (at a rate of 2 gallons of water per minute). If you assume that an 80-gallon tank has about 55 gallons of hot water to dispense before refilling, that means you have 27 or so minutes of total shower time before running out of hot water.

How long does an indirect water heater last? Indirect water heaters typically last 15-20 years.

What is the advantage of indirect heating? ›

The greatest advantages of the indirect water heaters are the significant reduction of flue losses. Less maintenance – no additional burners to maintain. Less cost – no additional venting required or fuel lines to run. Better performance – more available hot water with quicker recoveries.

In other words, the main advantage of the indirect method is that it's easier, while the main disadvantage of the indirect method is that it lacks the transparency necessary to be entirely compliant with some of the rules and accepted procedures of international accounting.

An indirect tank is essentially a well-insulated vessel with a heating coil inside. Water from the boiler is circulated through the heating coil, which heats the stored water for domestic use. Indirect tanks do not have an electric element and they do not require additional venting.