The right commercial water heater is ideal for helping your business run smoothly and efficiently. The wrong size or wrong type of heater can waste money or leave you with water heater problems.
We’ve put together a guide to the different types of commercial water heaters and how to choose the best type for your business.
9 Tips on Choosing the Ideal Commercial Hot Water System for Your Business
Here are nine key factors to consider when choosing the right hot water system for your business.
1. Type of Business
The main factor to consider when choosing a commercial water heater is your type of business. Is it a restaurant or hotel that requires heavy usage and consistent hot water? Or a small business that needs an efficient, space-saving system.
For instance, restaurants and hotels require a steady supply of hot water to readily accommodate customers and guests. Tankless water heaters are ideal for businesses that rely on a constant supply of hot water.
Alternatively, a smaller business may find it wastes energy and money if they end up with a hot water system that supplies more hot water than they need.
2. Budget
Budget plays a significant factor when choosing a commercial water heating unit for your business. It is important to consider both up-front and long term costs.
Some commercial hot water systems such as solar panels or heat pump water heaters may cost more initially, but they end up being budget-friendly over time due to how much money they save.
3. How Often Will the Water Heater Be Used?
It is worth spending the time to estimate how often your hot water system will be used and how many users it needs to support.
- Heavy usage or a high number of users – Consider a condensing water heater or tankless water heater
- Less hot water requirements or users – Heat pump water heater, solar water heater, or storage tank heater
Need help estimating your business’s hot water needs? Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
4. Peak Use Frequency
No one wants interruptions in a hot water supply – especially guests at a hotel or restaurant. Ensuring a steady supply of hot water is crucial for many businesses.
If you are unsure how to estimate the peak hot water consumption of your business, we would be glad to help.
5. Water Heater Efficiency
Some types of commercial water heaters store water and heat it as needed, while other types heat the water immediately. Depending on the type of water heater and the source of power, efficiency will vary.
If your business requires a fairly low supply of hot water, a less efficient heating system may be suitable. However, if your business requires a steady supply of hot water, a more efficient system will be essential to saving money in the long run.
6. Available Space
How much space does your business have available for a water heater system? Some types require far more space than others, making it important to know how much space you can devote to a water heater.
- Most space required – Storage tank heaters, condensing water heaters, solar heater systems
- Space-saving – Tankless water heaters
7. Power Source
When choosing a system, consider whether it will rely on electricity, solar, natural heat, or gas as a power source.
Does your location naturally receive a lot of sunlight? A solar water heating system might be the most efficient. Is there already a gas line installed? In this case, going with a gas-powered water heater may save money.
It’s also important to double-check the electrical or gas capacity of your building to make sure the gas or electrical lines can supply enough power.
8. Use Multiple Types If Desired
Think you need to limit your business to one type of water heater? Not so. Don’t be afraid to mix multiple types of water heaters. Doing so may increase efficiency and end up saving your business money.
9. Tank Details
Businesses that require heavy hot water usage should consider a tankless heating system or a tank with a larger capacity. Alternatively, businesses that only require intermittent hot water can rely on smaller tank sizes.
If you need help determining the ideal tank capacity, size, type, or flow rate for your business, please feel free to reach out to our team of experts.
What Are the 5 Most Common Types of Commercial Water Heaters?
Here is a detailed look at the 5 most common types of commercial water heater systems.
1. Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters rely on metal coils rather than tanks, allowing for a constant, on-demand supply of hot water. This system is ideal for businesses with heavy hot water usage. Since it does not have to heat water constantly, it saves energy compared to conventional water heaters.
Pros:
- Energy efficient
- Unlimited hot water on demand (ideal for businesses with heavy usage)
- Compact size to easily fit a variety of spaces
- Minimal maintenance (once a year cleaning)
Cons:
- Potential for a higher initial cost
- May need to increase electrical capacity or gas line size to accommodate larger heaters
- Exact size necessary (an oversized heater will waste energy while a heater that is too small will struggle to keep up with demands)
2. Storage Tank Heaters
Storage tank heaters rely on a tank that holds water that gets heated up by an internal heater. This popular system allows users to easily control the pressure and temperature of the water.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Highly efficient and effective
- External insulation helps keep the water warm after heating
- Minimal maintenance required (twice a year tank cleaning is typically all that is needed to prevent corrosion)
Cons:
- Limited extra features
- Hot water is limited to the tank capacity (once the water runs out, the tank takes time to refill)
3. Solar Water Heaters
Looking for an environmentally-friendly hot water system for your business? Solar water heaters utilise the sun’s energy to heat water, making them an ideal choice for eco-friendly businesses.
Pros:
- Environmentally friendly
- Renewable energy
- Cost-effective (no more relying on gas or electricity to heat your water)
Cons:
- Higher initial cost due to installation fees and the cost of the panels/system
- Production is directly affected by weather conditions (too many overcast days in a row may decrease your system’s efficiency)
- An alternate heating system may need to be in place to take over if sunlight isn’t enough
- Requires adequate roof space for the solar panels
4. Heat Pump Water Heaters
Heat pump water heaters take advantage of the heat that is naturally present in the ground and air to heat water. By utilising the natural heat from the earth to transfer it to the heating system, this is an energy-efficient option that is ideal for a wide range of businesses.
Pros:
- Energy efficient
- Saves money over time
Cons:
- Higher initial cost
- Limited tank capacity
- Limited use in colder environments due to insufficient natural heat
5. Condensing Water Heaters
Condensing water heaters operate by using a draft-inducing fan to push air and fuel into a combustion chamber inside the unit’s tank to produce heat.
Pros:
- Cost-effective over time
- Efficient and quick
- Environmentally friendly
- Reduced greenhouse emissions
- Suitable for heavy use
Cons:
- Higher initial cost
- Not ideal for businesses with limited space
- Complicated installation
Perth’s #1 Choice for Your Commercial Plumbing and Gas Needs
Need more help selecting the best water heating system for your business? We know it can be a confusing and overwhelming process. Our qualified team is here to give you the support, fair pricing, and knowledge you need to ensure you get the most efficient, cost-effective water heater unit for your business.
Contact us with any questions and we’d be happy to help with all your plumbing and gas needs.
