Heating hot water

There are a few ways to do it and none of them are wrong just different needs to be met, you have a few options:

Standard Hot Water Tank

Growing up if you had indoor plumbing most likely you had this. Typically 30-40 gallons but can range in size up 120 gallons. These tanks are mid efficient (80-84%AFUE) and have standard venting vertically through the roof. Reasons you may consider one:

• Best for a tight budget
• You have an existing one with existing venting, gas and plumbing lines
• You don't need the space

Reasons you may want to consider other options:

• Will cost more in utility bills in long run (lower efficiency)
• You require the space the chimney is taking up on the upper floors for renovations
• You need the space the tank takes up (for storage or other needs)

Power Vented Tank

This is simply a standard tank which uses a blower fan to vent out the flue gases. Do not be fooled though! Even though this tank uses CPVC venting (plastic) it is NOT high efficient. It is mid efficient only and simply is able to vent sidewall. Reasons you may consider one:

• You have a tighter budget
• You require the space the chimney would take up on the upper floors for extra square footage
• You have room in the mechanical room 

Reasons you may want to consider other options:

• You want to invest and save in the long run with a higher efficient option
• You need the space the tank takes up (for storage or other needs)
• It will require more mechanical service over a standard tank

High Efficient Tank

High efficient tanks look exactly like Power Vented Tanks but ARE high efficient (90-98%AFUE). They have a more sophisticated burner set up allowing for high efficiency and utilize CPVC (plastic) chimneys. Reasons you may consider one:

• You want to invest and save in the long run with a higher efficient option
• You have room in the mechanical room
• They have less mechanical components then Tankless Hot Water Heaters
• You want to vent out the side wall to keep square footage on upper floors

Reasons you may want to consider other options:

• High up front costs - similar to tankless
• You don't have the room in the mechanical room
• You don't want a chimney penetrating your homes envelope

Indirect Tank

Indirect tanks are like standard tanks in that they are a tank and come in various capacities. Unlike tanks they do not have a built in heat source, they have an coil exchanger built into the inside of the tank which is plumbed to a source of heat like a boiler, solar thermal system or geothermal heating system. They have no mechanical moving parts on them so no maintenance is required. Reasons you may consider one:

• You have an existing boiler, solar or geothermal system.
• You don't want a chimney penetrating your homes envelope
• No maintenance required - no service calls

Reasons you may want to consider other options:

• You will need a heat source like a boiler, solar or geothermal system
• You don't have the space for one
• "Water sandwich" is a concern for you (the slug of cold water from the delay in the burners firing) 
• You have water usage greater than a tankless can keep up to

Tankless Hot Water Heater

Otherwise known as instant hot water heaters. These units are high efficient and compact saving you space and operating costs. Wall mounted they stay up and put of the way which in new homes with small mechanical rooms is a big plus. On average they can save up to $70-$80 annually against a standard tank and are becoming increasingly more reliable. Reasons you may consider one:

• You've got a small mechanical room
• You love the environment and high efficiency means a better future for our kids
• You like saving money

Reasons you may want to consider other options:

• Larger up front investment
• They will require maintenance (vinegar flush - can be DIY - make sure installer puts in flush valves)
• They will break down, they have many mechanical pieces

Sun Pump

The technology isn't new it's just being used differently! We've always had geothermal heat pumps. We've always had solar thermal panels. We've always had air source technology. This is all three in one! It uses a heat pump just like geothermal to absorb heat and redistribute it. The solar panel is a revolutionary technology that combines air source and solar thermal technologies for increased renewable energy performance.

SunPump is a highly efficient and cost effective renewable energy heating system that combines the benefits of solar thermal with the efficiency of heat pumps.

SunPump acts as a primary system that is able to provide up to 100% of the space heating and hot water requirements for new and retrofit residential and commercial buildings.  SunPump is fitted with a backup heating element allowing it to completely replace a furnace or boiler, and the domestic hot water tank, eliminating the need for a gas line. Reasons you may consider one:

• You're an awesome person
• You don't want a gas line
• You believe in the idea of a clean energy future
• You want to add solar PV one day or you already have it. 
• You want or have radiant heating

Reasons you may want to consider other options:

• High initial cost
• Your home doesn't have good solar access
• That's all - Learn more here