High Efficiency Water Heaters & Boosters
High Efficiency (HE) water heaters are the “greener” choice to heat water for your business. Over the last few years, HE water heaters have increased in popularity and are now available in a wide range of gallon and BTU combinations. If you’re considering a new water heater, you may want to explore high-efficiency water heater options. For commercial kitchens, breweries, and other industries where sanitation is critical, we also offer boosters to get your water even hotter.
Advanced Design for Increased Efficiency
High efficiency water heaters are similar in size and shape to conventional water heaters, but inside, the two types of water heaters look very different. The thermal efficiency-focused design of this type of water heater uses nearly all the energy generated by the fuel they burn. In the long run, they can save you money on energy costs compared to traditional gas water heaters.
Higher-efficiency water heaters heat cold water from the inside out in a process known as “sealed combustion.” They also extend the path the hot exhaust gas travels, using the gasses to heat the water for as long as possible.
In many commercial industries, particularly restaurants and commercial kitchens, sanitation is crucial, especially for dishwashing. Low-temp dishwashers rely on chemicals to kill bacteria and sanitize. High-temp dishwashers use extremely hot water (180°F) to clean and sanitize, eliminating the need and cost of chemicals, making them the best choice for a safe kitchen. However, turning a standard water heater up to that temperature will cause instant 3rd degree burns. We offer gas-powered booster heaters to keep your water extra hot safely.
A booster heater is a hot water heater that boosts the temperature of already hot water (between 120-140°F) to 180° F. This hot water boosting offers sanitizing rinse water for a high-temp dishwasher. Note that 180°F is the water temperature required for compliance with UL Sanitation (NSF5) and all Federal, State, National, and Local Health Department Sanitation Codes in the United States.
Tank Size & Storage Capacity
The storage capacity ranges between 50 gallons to 120 for a high energy efficiency water heater. For a primary water heater, 100-gallon models are the most common (but 55, 60, and 80-gallon tank models are also available). You can use most HE hot water heater models as sanitizing booster heaters since they reach 180 degrees and feature a low profile.
If you plan to add a booster water heater, you’ll need to consider a higher up-front cost. Boosters require a bigger building footprint and separate venting. These small, high-efficiency tank-type water heaters have storage capacities between 45-60 gallons of hot water and can easily handle the dishwasher’s dump load.
Input & Recovery Rate
Most energy-efficient water heaters use the same amount of fuel as their standard counterparts, but they use that fuel more efficiently to heat water faster. They don’t need to fire for as long as standard water heaters. The higher the BTU input, the faster the recovery time. Gas inputs range from 75,000 to 499,000 BTUs, but the most popular models are 120,000, 199,000, and 250,000 BTUs.
Booster heaters feature inputs between 120,00 BTUs and 200,000 BTUs. They have a faster replenish time and compared to electric units, they don’t run as often or as long or need as much energy. Thanks to the price of gas being lower than electricity, natural gas booster heaters cost about a third of electric booster models.
Quicker Recovery
HE heaters use fuel to heat water in multiple ways, starting from the inside out. The HE heaters replenish the hot water supply faster than standard heaters.
Saves on Energy Bills
Most HE heaters have efficiency ratings of around 95-98%, so very little energy is wasted–resulting in energy savings and lower water heating costs.
Safer Operation
An enclosed combustion chamber means no exposed flame, so there’s no need for a fire-rated room. Cooler exhaust gas means you can use PVC venting material.
Can Act as Boosters
HE water heaters also work as booster heaters, heating water to 180° F—the standard for food safety and sanitization. These temperatures melt away grease and food on the first wash.
Installation Restrictions
HE heaters must be installed relatively close to an outside wall or roof, with perfectly balanced venting for proper combustion. This may increase the cost of installation.
Higher Equipment Cost
The same advanced internal design and high-tech controls that make HE units highly efficient also make them more expensive to produce, leading to a higher initial price tag when buying one.
More Tech, More Problems
HE units have sophisticated controls and sensitive calibration requirements, so specialized training is needed to accurately service them when something goes wrong, which can increase repair costs.
Boosters Require Space and Soft Water
Should you need to add a booster, you’ll need more space (a challenge in small kitchens). Boosters require a water softener because hotter water causes the minerals to separate.
If your current water heater has seen better days, or you’re interested in lowering your company’s energy bill, we can help. We’ll look at the amount of hot water needed for your business and the different types of water heaters that may meet the requirements. A booster is a good idea if you need more hot water for your higher temperature commercial applications. Reach out, and we’ll explore your options so you can get as much hot water as your business needs to run efficiently.
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