How long does an indirect water heater last?

Indirect water heaters typically last 15-20 years.

Is a gas hot water heater more energy efficient than electric?

Gas water heaters are usually cheaper to operate than electric, depending on your local utility costs. They cost more upfront than electric. However, gas heaters typically make up the difference in price in about a year.

What are the disadvantages of an indirect water heater?

It's been argued that standard direct water heaters have a slight advantage over indirect water heaters because there's always heat loss when transporting water over a distance. Indirect heaters can be the most efficient in homes that are well-suited or already use a complimentary-style HVAC system.

What are the advantages of using an indirect water heater?

They're more efficient, with less standby heat loss, when compared to the standard tank type. They require less maintenance and cost less as no additional venting is required or fuel lines need to be run. They perform well as more hot water is available and recovered quickly. They're also simple to size and easy to install.

What's the difference between direct and indirect water heaters?

A direct-fired water heater heats up with propane, oil, or natural gas and has its own burner. Indirect water heaters use a boiler or furnace to supply the heat needed for the water.

How much does an indirect water heater cost?

Indirect water heaters cost $800 to $1,500 on average.

Learn about Indirect Water Heater

An indirect water heater is a storage tank that is connected to an external hot water heater. Hot water from the external heater is circulated through a coil inside the tank to heat the water. They are different from your typical hot water tanks, which have an oil, gas, or electric heating element inside the tank.

These systems can also be called integrated or combination space and water heating systems.

The efficiency of an indirect water heater is incorporated into that of the entire combination or integrated space and water heating system. This is given as a combined appliance efficiency rating (CAE).

Indirect water heaters can be connected to high-efficiency water heaters such as ground source heat pumps or renewable energy sources such as solar water heaters.

Indirect water heaters that are connected to an oil or gas boiler can be less efficient than other types of direct water heaters because they depend on the central heating system to heat domestic hot water. A typical boiler is oversized for this application and will run at lower efficiencies because it will often have to go through a “cold start.”