05/26/2026
Did you know there are multiple types of water heaters?
1. Traditional Storage Tank Water Heaters: This is the classic model most people are familiar with. It keeps a large, continuous reservoir of water heated and ready to go at all times.
How it works: An insulated tank holds anywhere from 30 to 80 gallons of water. Elements (electric) or a burner (gas) constantly kick on to keep that water at your set temperature.
The Catch: Once you use up all the hot water in the tank, you have to wait for the system to heat a fresh batch. It also uses energy constantly to maintain that heat, even when you aren't home.
2. Tankless (On-Demand) Water Heaters: Unlike storage tanks, these systems only heat water when a faucet or appliance is turned on.
How it works: High-powered burners or electric elements flash-heat cold water instantly as it flows through the unit on its way to your tap.
The Catch: You get endless hot water, and you aren't paying to keep a massive tank warm all day. However, they can struggle to keep up if multiple people are running hot water simultaneously (like running the dishwasher and taking a shower at the same time).
3. Heat Pump (Hybrid) Water Heaters: These are incredibly energy-efficient units that rethink how heat is generated.
How it works: Instead of creating heat directly, a hybrid heater pulls heat from the surrounding air and transfers it into the water tank. Think of it like a refrigerator working in reverse.
The Catch: They can cut water heating costs by up to 70%. However, because they rely on ambient air temperature, they need to be installed in spaces that stay relatively warm year-round and have plenty of clearance. In colder climates or during peak usage times, they automatically switch back to standard electric heating. These water heaters tend to struggle and send error codes during the colder months here in Washington state, especially if the water heater is located in the garage.
