November just greeted Saskatchewan with near-freezing temperatures and centimetres-thick snowfall. According to CTV Saskatoon, a low pressure system that arrived in the province early in the month dumped a lot of rain in Saskatoon, and turned into snow overnight. This, perhaps, foreshadows the type of winter temperatures people can expect in the weeks ahead.
Fortunately, there’s still time for everyone to prep their homes for the coming cold, specifically by working with renowned plumbing companies like Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning that provide hot water tanks in Saskatoon homes. A steady supply of hot water is certainly a necessity in all households through any type of winter.
That said, the quality and reliability of the hot water supply in homes hinge in part on the type of water heater used. Most people in Saskatchewan and other provinces rely on storage tank heaters for their hot showers, warm washes, and similar functions.
The biggest advantage of these systems is that they’re simpler to install and to operate compared to other types of water heaters. Storage tank water heaters work by dispensing preheated water when a tap is turned on, then replenishing the amount lost by refilling the tank with a fresh supply of water.
Although the temperature inside the tank is regulated by a thermostat, some manufacturers also build their tanks with better insulation and heat exchangers, making them more suited to extremely cold temperatures, like those experienced in Saskatchewan’s winters. Tank heaters aren’t without their drawbacks, though, because they generate ‘standby loss’, or fuel or energy that is continually consumed even when the heater is not in use.
To avoid standby loss, an option would be to use more efficient storage tank water heaters; or alternatively, tankless water heaters in Saskatoon and Martensville homes. A tankless water heater supplies a household with hot water on-demand, making it incredibly energy-efficient and cost-effective in the long run.
In addition, tankless heaters are less worry-free when it comes to rust and sediment contamination, since they do not store water in a separate tank or container. Perhaps the only downside to tankless heaters is the relative difficulty in their installation.
This doesn’t mean, however, that either type of water heater is better than the other, because both storage tank and tankless water heaters have their merits. The choice boils down to individual preferences. What’s important is for everyone to prep their homes for the coming winter by ensuring that they have a reliable supply of hot water at home.
(Source: Winter arrives with snowfall across central Sask., CTV Saskatoon, November 3, 2014)
Recent Comments