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August 14, 2024
Hot water systems can be powered by electricity, gas or solar and can work in different ways. This can make it tricky to find the right system for your needs.
In this guide, we’ll analyse the different types of electric hot water systems on the market and their key differences.
There are various electric hot water system types to suit different needs and preferences. Firstly, there are instantaneous hot water systems. Our range of Bromic electric hot water systems falls into this category. Then, there are storage hot water systems.
The type of system you own has many impacts, including function, price and how you will deal with issues with your electric hot water heater.
Instantaneous electric hot water systems work to heat water as it is being used. Contained in a single unit, electric instant hot water systems are tankless and water is flown directly through the unit.
The heating elements used are typically electric resistant which is why it can rapidly heat water. This rapid heating of water eliminates standby heat loss creating greater energy efficiency.
A major upside of these systems is that they do not run out of hot water. They are able to continuously produce hot water as they are used.
Through sophisticated water temperature controls, instantaneous hot water systems also allow users to control the exact temperature they would like the water without diluting it with cold water. This efficient method reduces the risk of burns and scalding.
Storage electric hot water systems use insulated tanks to store hot water. This enables the systems to preemptively meet hot water demand.
Typically a cylindrical tank, these storage heaters have one or more electric heating elements immersed in water. The storage tanks can be made of copper, glass-lined steel or stainless steel. If the tanks are made of copper or glass, they may have an anode to reduce corrosion. These anodes must be replaced every couple of years. The storage tank is usually located at either the ground level inside or outside.
When hot water is needed, cold water enters the water heater through the inlet pipe. A sensor detects the water movement and activates the electrical heating elements which heat water as it passes through a heat exchanger.
A thermostat tracks the temperature of the hot water. If the temperature does not meet the set temperature, then the heating elements adjust their heat output. As hot water is being used, the instantaneous hot water system would continuously supply more until demand is met.
When the faucet or appliance is turned off, the flow of water ceases. This deactivates the flow sensor and turns off the heating elements. These systems are suitable when a continuous flow of hot water is needed or if there are multiple simultaneous water use scenarios.
Electric storage hot water systems work by heating water and storing it in an insulated tank to maintain heat at all times. Cold water enters the tank in an inlet pipe.
Inside the storage tank, there are one or more heating elements immersed in water. A thermostat activates the elements when the temperature of the water falls below a certain predetermined level. To prevent overheating, the thermostat signals the heating elements to turn off when the desired temperature is reached.
The tank’s insulation minimises heat loss and ensures water remains hot even when not actively being heated. The hot water at the top of the tank is drawn from the storage tank and as this happens, more cold water fills the tank which would then trigger the heating elements to once again activate.
As the hot water is being used, the heating elements periodically turn on to keep the water at a sufficient temperature, providing a reliable source of hot water for domestic or commercial use.
Instant and storage hot water systems have many differences, which means they are ideal for different environments. Here’s a quick rundown of the main advantages of each system type.
Bromic’s 3 Phase instant electric water heaters are compact yet powerful. Installed close to point of use, they deliver instant hot water on demand and reduce water wastage.
Heat pumps can be either air sourced or ground sourced. Air-sourced heat pumps extract heat from the air to heat the water. Ambient air is used to heat a refrigerant which converts to a gas.
The gas expels heat which is transferred to the water. The refrigerant is then expanded back to a liquid and the cycle repeats. These types of heat pumps work better in warm and humid climates.
Ground-sourced heat pumps use heat sourced from a water body, instead of the air. Electricity is used to pump water or refrigerant around a load buried in the ground or immersed in a water body. The enclosed water absorbs heat from the surroundings.
Gas hot water systems have a system of gas as their primary source of fuel for heat. They typically contain a combustion chamber where gas is burned to produce heat. Inside the combustion chamber, there is a burner assembly that ignites the gas and generates a flame that heats the water.
A gas valve is controlled by the thermostat and will open and close depending on whether the hot water temperature is heated to the right temperature. Gas hot water systems have different safety features such as pressure relief valves, temperature, pressure sensors and flame failure devices to ensure a safe and reliable system.
Gas hot water systems must be properly vented to ensure safe combustion and exhaust of combustion gases.
Powered by radiation, solar hot water systems have one or more collectors which are typically mounted to the roof of a building. This enables them to receive the maximum direct sunlight. These collectors are designed to absorb sunlight and radiation and convert it to heat.
A heat transfer fluid, which could be a mixture of water and antifreeze, is pumped through the solar collectors and absorbs heat. This heat transfer fluid is contained to prevent evaporation and maintain efficiency. The heat transfer fluid is then circulated through a heat exchanger.
This exchanger then transfers heat directly into the water supply. Most solar hot water systems either have gas or electric heating elements in their storage tank as a backup when solar radiation activity is low.
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