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Electric Water Heaters: Types and Sizes

4 minutes
Looking for a water heater for your home? Here are some of the best types and their characteristics, so you can make the best choice for your home.
Electric Water Heaters: Types and Sizes
Last update: 14 September, 2019

If you want the best quality and guarantees for your home appliances, then you should look for the latest technology. That’s especially true when it comes to water heating. Today, we’re going to tell you about electric water heaters, and the types and sizes they come in.

There’s nothing better than coming home after a long day at work and taking a nice, long showerBut there are probably times when your plans are spoiled because the heater isn’t working or is slow, and all you get is cold water.

This is why it’s best to have high quality water heaters. Why wouldn’t you want to avoid any issues with this crucial part of the home? With that in mind, we’re going to tell you about electric water heaters and what makes them so great.

What exactly are electric water heaters?

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Electric water heaters are large tanks that can store water and heat it up for daily use. Where you’ll see them can depend on the country, though they’re commonly outside kitchens and bathrooms, or in basements. After all, this is a day-to-day appliance.

It’s best for water heaters to be vertical and not horizontal. You might be wondering why? For one thing, if your water heater is horizontal, then it leads to lower energy efficiency. In other words, you end up with a higher electricity bill.

The water goes inside the tank, which the system then heats. But if you end up emptying the entire tank, you’ll have to wait for the water to heat up again.

One of the greatest pleasures in life is having a nice, hot shower. 

Types of electric water heaters

As for the different types of electric water heaters, the main differences are volume and the type of resistance they have. There are basically two kinds in terms of that last characteristic:

  • Armored resistors: these generate a direct current from the heat to the water. That makes for quick, efficient heating.
  • Ceramic resistors: unlike the last kind, these don’t come into direct contact with the water. This helps keep the material from deteriorating as quickly, but it means the water will heat up more slowly.

Calcium is the main enemy of water heaters. Depending on where you live, your water may have a different calcium level. So, if there are high levels in your area, it can lead to lots of corrosion and completely wear away the interior. 

The importance of saving energy

There are water heaters with different functions that can help you with daily life, but one major benefit is energy saving. Even here, though, there’s a big difference in terms of just how much energy it can help you save.

  • It’s important to choose one with an insulating layer between the shell and the actual tank. This keeps heat from escaping and helps save energy.
  • A programming system is also a key element. You can use this for major energy savings by programming the hours you want it to be active, whenever you usually shower or wash dishes.
  • At the same time, if you’re just going to use water for a short time, it’s probably not worth having it on. This is another good way not to waste electricity.
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Volume

There are lots of different water heater volumes available too. For example, you need a different amount of hot water for 4-5 people than you do for 1. It’s best to choose one that fits your needs.

  • There are some smaller water heaters that can hold between 15-50 liters. These are obviously easier to install in your home because they’re smaller. They’re also just as efficient. The only difference is capacity.
  • Then there are some with bigger volumes, between 150-300 liters. These are the kind you’ll probably see in houses for bigger families, or in sports team locker rooms.

So, the basic thing to understand is that the bigger ones aren’t necessarily more efficient, but they are if you have more hot water needs because they store more. That being said, bigger ones can be harder to install in your home.

You can find water heaters for your home online at at major home retailers. So do some digging on the best products out there with this information in mind, and pick out the one that fits your needs best!