Traditional Gas Water Heaters

Traditional storage type water heaters are still the standard in Minneapolis and greater twin cities area. While they still store heated water year-round, innovation has come a long way in improving their efficiency. Here are two common styles of gas storage type water heaters in Minneapolis and the greater metro area.

• Atmospheric Vent Water Heaters

  Easily identified by the silver tin vent rising from the top of the heater, and also known as a natural-draft water heater.

  These are the least efficient form of gas water heaters, with the lowest hot water production rate of gas water heaters.

• Power Vent Water Heaters

  Identifiable by the black box and white PVC exhaust on top of the heater.

  Power vent water heaters are a step up in efficiency and safety. Their more efficient design allows you to extract more heat from the gas your burning. Their exhaust fumes are “power vented” to the outside, which reduces the risk of carbon monoxide build up, and allows for more installation opportunities.

Electric storage type water heaters are common throughout Minneapolis and greater Twin cities area. Electric water heaters have historically been the most expensive way to heat water, but recent innovations have fixed that issue. Electric water heaters can also a fantastic way to become more environmentally friendly.

• Standard Electric Water Heaters

  If your water heaters has a wired connection on the heater and no exhaust, it is a standard storage-type electric water heater. These water heaters have the highest energy cost of any style off water heater. They often have very straightforward replacements, and are very reliable. The upfront cost on a standard electric water heater replacement is lower than any other style.

• Hybrid-Heat pump water heaters.

  Look for an energy star label, a fan, and a condensate drain to know you have a hybrid-heat pump water heater. These heaters can be an excellent choice with their extreme efficiency. Heat pump water heaters use the heat present in the air, and transfer it into the water. The average American household saves $300-400 annually on their energy bill when they switch to a hybrid-heat pump water heater.