The water in your home is supplied through a network of pipes, typically arriving cold or very cold, depending on the season. To enjoy a hot shower or a warm bath, you need a water heater.
Water heaters are a common household appliance, usually found in basements or laundry rooms. They often appear as large metal cylinders, though different types exist. While tankless models have gained popularity for heating water on demand, the traditional water heater remains widespread in American homes. This conventional model consists of a tank filled with water, heated by an element at the bottom or inside. What makes it so efficient is its use of the heat-rising principle, ensuring hot water is delivered straight to your faucet with minimal effort. Despite their simple appearance, water heaters are cleverly designed to maximize efficiency.
However, conventional water heaters are among the most energy-consuming appliances in a home. As they age, their energy efficiency declines. Over time, manufacturers have worked to improve their efficiency, as water heating accounts for approximately 17% of a home’s energy consumption. Hybrid water heaters have emerged as a solution, offering significant energy savings that could help families reduce their utility costs by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars annually.
The Evolution of Hybrid Water Heaters
The hybrid water heater was first introduced in 2006 by Grand Hall USA, a small company based in Garland, Texas, known for manufacturing barbecue grills. Their Eternal Hybrid water heater set the standard for this product category. In 2010, A.O. Smith, the largest water heater manufacturer in North America, launched the NEXT Hybrid and heavily promoted its benefits.
What is a Hybrid Water Heater?
Traditional tank water heaters heat water from the bottom, causing heat to rise and exit from the top, resulting in wasted energy. Tankless models also heat from the bottom, but water runs through copper pipes instead of being stored in a tank, providing hot water on demand.
Hybrid water heaters combine the best aspects of both tank and tankless systems. While specific models utilize different technologies, they generally feature a mix of continuous water heating and a small storage reservoir to improve efficiency.
For example, the Eternal Hybrid water heater uses multiple heat and water passes to enhance performance. It contains 44 heating pipes, with water flowing around them for faster heating. Unlike a purely tankless unit, the hybrid model includes a reservoir that keeps a small amount of water hot at all times, ensuring an uninterrupted hot water supply.
Both the Eternal Hybrid and NEXT Hybrid water heaters are gas-powered systems featuring a two-gallon buffer tank, which provides two key advantages:
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No Sudden Cold Water Surprises – Traditional tankless water heaters can sometimes deliver an unexpected burst of cold water when demand fluctuates. A hybrid water heater eliminates this issue, ensuring consistent warmth.
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Hot Water in Smaller Quantities – Many tankless water heaters require a minimum flow rate (typically 0.6 gallons per minute) before the burner activates. With a hybrid water heater, hot water can be delivered even at lower flow rates, such as through a low-flow bathroom tap.
These are just two examples of hybrid water heaters, but many options are available on the market today. While hybrid models offer performance benefits over standard tankless water heaters, their cost-effectiveness compared to traditional gas storage water heaters depends on individual usage habits and household needs.
If you’d like to learn more about hybrid water heaters, contact Brea/Orange County Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning for expert advice and installation services.