Water Heaters

Maintaining hot water production is crucial to your household needs. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing we offer a variety of water heaters, including:

Conventional Tank Water Heaters
Most water heaters are tank water heaters, which keep a tank full of hot water in your home at all times. Most household models hold between 20 and 100 gallons of water. When hot water is required the water is circulated to the open faucet. Conventional tanks utilize electric, natural gas, propane, oil, solar or geothermal power as an energy source to heat the water.

Electric Water Heaters
The typical electric water heater is wired to a 220-volt circuit. To heat the water, the current typically passes through two electrical-resistance heating elements: one at the middle of the tank and one at the bottom. Power is delivered to each element through a thermostat.

Gas-Fired Water Heaters
An alternative to the electric water heater is the gas-fired heater, which typically utilizes natural gas or propane. Instead of electrical-resistance elements, a gas-fired heater has a burner that is fed gas through a control valve and a thermostat switch. Since gas-fired heaters heat the tank, which in turn heats the water, there will be more wear and tear on the tank than with electric heat.

Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless water heater provides hot water as needed, saving energy and money. Tankless heaters are designed to heat water directly without the use of a tank and are more efficient than conventional water heaters. The primary energy sources for tankless heaters are natural gas and propane.

Solar Water Heaters
In some areas, solar-powered water heaters are gaining in popularity. Their solar collectors are installed outside the home, typically on the roof or nearby. Nearly all models are the direct-gain type, consisting of flat panels in which water circulates.

Evaluating Your Options
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing we can help you decide which water heater is best for you based on your household setup, family needs, and location. Call us today to schedule an appointment.