What Is A Hybrid Water Heater?

What kind of water heater do I have?

There are several different types of equipment that heat the water for your home. From your dishwasher and washing machine, to your shower and sinks, a water heater is a work horse. We'll discuss the differences between a standard, wall-hung, and hybrid water heater.

A standard unit is usually located in your basement. Sometimes, it will be in a utility closet. It's about 4 feet tall and shaped like a cylinder. It will use either gas, oil, or electricity to run. The water is heating by an element or flame and stored. Once it's installed, you don't have to make any adjustments. You do need to make sure it gets regular check-ups to avoid a leak.

A wall hung unit is also usually found in your basement or a closet. They are usually a rectangle shape about 3 feet high and 2 feet across. Most wall hung units in Columbia CT are electric. These are also low maintenance, but still require regular service.

A hybrid water heater looks similar to a standard unit. The exception is the top part of the unit. It may be a different color, depending on the brand. But the top will have vents for air flow. A hybrid water heating unit uses both air AND water to heat. It's an efficient upgrade option that many people are opting for.

Benefits of a hybrid water heater

Also called a "heat pump water heater," has several benefits over a traditional or wall-hung unit.

• Highly efficient. Water heaters account for 14% to 25% of the total energy consumed in a typical home today. On average, they use more energy than a household’s refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer combined.
• Greater savings. The greatest savings and quickest payback may occur in regions where the average temperatures are colder. Lucky for us in Columbia CT! Using it in 'heat pump' mode for 5 months out of the year, will create more savings than it would in an area with higher energy rates.
• Two-for-one. This unit is PERFECT for you if you have a damp basement and constantly run a dehumidifier. It extracts warmth from the surrounding air, concentrates the heat and transfers it to the water. A hybrid water heater heats your water AND acts as a dehumidifier at a MUCH lower cost than running two separate pieces of equipment!

Example of the efficiency of a 50-gallon model

Your local Columbia CT plumber

Rapid Service LLC has seen a steady increase in demand for hybrid heaters in the area. We service and install both standard and hybrid water heater units. Each come in different sizes. Most are the same height due to government regulations. However, we know that there are space restrictions in places like condos. If you're not sure which type or size of water heater you need, the best thing to do is call a professional, local plumber. A Rapid Service plumber will go through a checklist with you in order to help you select the right fit. Please call 860-228-1036 to schedule your appointment.