Electric and thermodynamic water heaters: what are the differences?
Did you know that? When you take a shower, you use about 40L of water. Washing dishes by hand will use around 15L of hot water. It is therefore essential to equip yourself with an efficient water heater that optimises your energy consumption.
Which water heater should I choose?
There are different types of water heaters on the market: electric, gas, thermodynamic, etc. How do you choose the model best suited to your budget, your space and your needs?
In this article, we are going to review the main differences between electric hot water systems and heat pumps (also referred to as thermodynamic systems).
- Electric water heater
- Thermodynamic water heater
Electric water heater
This electric device can be placed in any room in your home. You can choose between four types of systems: an electric storage system, a flat water electric heater, an instantaneous water heater and a low capacity water heater.
– Electric hot water tanks
Its tank and resistance are using electricity. They generally work on a double water storage system: hot at the top and cold at the bottom. They often contain more than 50L of water. If you choose to use it in off-peak hours, the hot water production will be very reasonable in terms of cost. There is one small drawback, however. You will have to wait a while if you need extra hot water.
– Flat water heaters
These kinds of models are smaller and therefore better suited to smaller spaces than a conventional round water heater. Their size does not affect their capacity as they can hold between 40 and 200L of water. The main advantage here? The water in their tank is renewed throughout the day. You won’t have to wait long before using hot water again. Their heating time is also up to twice as fast as that of a standard water heater. It, therefore, offers great comfort.
– Instantaneous water heater (tankless)
It has a limited flow rate of 3 to 4L per minute and is ideal for a quick, one-off supply of hot water (to supply a sink, for example). It is practical, but also consumes a lot of energy.
– Low capacity water heater
It is regulated by a thermostat and operates continuously. Its small capacity (10 to 50L) also allows it to heat domestic water quickly. On the other hand, this type of installation is not recommended if you have a large family and therefore large needs.
What you need to keep in mind
An electric water heater is recommended for small budgets, their price generally ranges between 200 and 1 500 dollars. They are ideal for smaller homes. Easy and practical to install, they are suitable for all households.
Thermodynamic water heaters or heat pumps
This is an excellent choice as they use renewable energy.
Main advantages of heat pumps
Their operation is simple. They work like a refrigerator but in reverse. The water heater has a heat pump that uses the temperature of the room or the outdoor area. The appliance collects the heat surrounding it and transmits it to the stored water. It is therefore an inexhaustible source of energy.
The system also makes it possible to make considerable energy savings since the water is heated by a pump and not by an electric resistance. Its capacity of more than 200L makes it an ideal choice for heating up water for a whole family. Finally, the appliance is much more energy-friendly than an electric appliance.
On average, there are 10 times fewer toxic emissions from such appliances.
Main disadvantages of heat pumps
A thermodynamic water heater is noisier than an electric hot water system. It must be placed in a separate room of more than 20m3 if the ambient air is collected. In Australia, most heat pumps are installed outdoors to benefit from the hot WA weather.
If you do not have a large enough room, it is possible to install a split thermodynamic water heater which will take the air from outside the house.
Electric or thermodynamic water heaters, there is always a system that will suit you. Don’t hesitate to ask one of our technicians to help you make your choice.
