With continuous improvement of people’s economic conditions and living standards, electric water heaters have been installed in most households, putting an end to the era of public bathing. Nevertheless, there are numerous domestic brands of electric water heaters on the market. Water heaters are divided into different categories according to their heat‑generation principles. How many main types are there? Let’s take a look.
1. Storage‑type Electric Water Heaters
A storage‑type electric water heater is a fixed appliance that heats water. It can store hot water either long‑term or temporarily and is equipped with devices to control or limit water temperature.
Household storage‑type electric water heaters are easy to install and affordably priced. However, they require a long pre‑heating time before reaching usable temperature. One major advantage is that their performance is unaffected by floor levels with stable water pressure, making them an ideal option for high‑rise residents.
There are many brands with wide‑ranging quality, which makes product identification difficult. Pre‑heating is required before use; continuous hot‑water supply for multiple users is unavailable, and regular descaling maintenance is necessary.
2. Instant‑on Electric Water Heaters
Instant‑on water heaters feature prominent advantages: compact size, easy installation, instant hot‑water supply upon startup, as well as power and time savings.
Many people hold the misconception that high‑power instant‑on water heaters are unsafe. In fact, safety depends on ammeter capacity and wiring conditions. It is perfectly safe as long as the electric meter and wiring meet the rated requirements.
Environmentally‑friendly and energy‑saving, this type delivers constant‑temperature hot water and supports continuous water supply.
Its disadvantages lie in its extremely high power demand. Special dedicated circuits are required. The power rating generally needs to be at least 6 kW, and can reach 8 kW in winter. It also has strict installation requirements: inlet water pressure cannot be excessive, and an independent dedicated circuit is mandatory.
3. Fast‑heating Electric Water Heaters
As an independent product category different from storage‑type and instant‑on models, fast‑heating electric water heaters sit between the two or serve as a combined solution. Adopting fast‑heating engine technology, they realize fast hot‑water output with relatively lower power compared with pure instant‑on units.
4. Air‑source Water Heaters
Air‑source water heaters are a popular household water‑heating product in recent years. They extract heat mainly from ambient air with low energy consumption and eco‑friendly performance. Hot water is supplied at constant temperature and pressure 24‑hours a day for great comfort. Free from risks such as electric leakage, gas leakage or explosion, they are safe and reliable.
Above are the main classifications of electric water heaters available on the market. You may select a suitable model according to your actual household conditions.
