Reliable commercial water heating is essential for your business. Your hot water supply needs to maintain the right quality and stability for customers and employees. When it’s time to select a new commercial water heater, consider the following factors.
Choose the Right Type of Water Heater
Commercial water heating systems are available in storage and tankless options. Storage water heaters have a tank that holds a certain number of gallons of heated water. Tankless water heaters use a heat exchanger to warm up water on demand.
The type that would work best for your company depends on certain factors, such as how much space you have and how often customers and employees use hot water. Keep in mind that there are also different models available for each type of water heater. For example, some storage water heaters run on gas, while others run on electricity.
Select the Right Heating Source
Commercial water heating systems can run using different heating sources. Some of these include electricity, gas, propane, oil, and heat pumps.
Electric and gas are the more commonly used heating sources.
Propane and oil are usually only used when a gas source isn’t available.
Heat pumps offer improved efficiency compared to other heating sources. These use heat pulled from the air to warm up water.
Consider Your Budget
Installation and maintenance costs for commercial water heating systems can vary greatly. In general, storage water heaters tend to cost less initially. Tankless water heater installation is usually higher; however, the energy efficiency savings may offset the price.
You’ll also want to consider maintenance and repair costs. Tankless water heaters generally need less maintenance over the years. It’s also easier to replace a damaged part, rather than replacing the whole unit, like a storage water heater usually requires.
Talk to a plumber to learn more about the typical installation, maintenance, and repairs costs of the units you’re comparing.
Find the Right Size
How much hot water does your building need on a regular basis? Determining this can help you figure out how large your water heater should be. One that’s too small won’t provide employees and customers with enough hot water. A water heater that’s too big will end up costing you more money.
Determine How Much Space You Have
Storage water heaters require more space than tankless water heaters. If you have limited space, a tankless water heater might turn out to be a better option. These commercial water heaters need a much smaller amount of space than storage water heaters.
Compare Energy Efficiency
Commercial water heating systems vary greatly when it comes to energy efficiency. Energy efficient water heaters will likely cost more upfront, but can save your business money on utility bills over time.
Tankless water heaters typically provide greater efficiency than storage water heaters, since they only heat water when customers or employees need it. On the other hand, storage water heaters keep a steady supply of hot water available. Since tankless commercial water heating systems only run when they need to, they cut down on your energy usage.
Look into Water Heater Lifespans
Not all commercial water heating systems last the same amount of time. With proper maintenance, tankless water heaters can last around 20 years. Storage heaters typically last about ten years. A longer lifespan means you won’t have to worry about replacing your water heater as frequently.
If you have any questions about commercial water heating, contact Forrest Anderson.
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