Water heaters have change significantly in the past few years. The biggest trend in the industry is towards tankless water heaters, in place of traditional water heaters with tanks that can take up more than twice the space.

Whether electric or natural gas, commercial hot water heaters without tanks can also be installed outside or inside of a building, so there is no reason to worry about the size of the unit. This takes some stress off of contractors, and owners who need every square inch for their business.

You can stay on top of developments by following water heaters news and trends. There are so many innovations coming through the heating and cooling industry that as a contractor or building owners, you need to stay up to date on the latest news. You can do this by:

1. Subscribing to trade publications for the heating and cooling industry.

2. Finding online resources that provide unbiased information.

3. Asking questions of your water heater vendors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read about commercial hot water heater technology and innovations through trade publications

There are many ways that trade publications for the heating and cooling industry can be helpful to contractors and others who need to pick the right hot water system for a building. The publications can give you insight into how new energy technologies are used to heat water, the best models for your money, and listings where you can find hot water heaters wholesale.

I recommend: HVAC Web Connection provides many links to free trade publications that are concerned with contracting and HVAC issues, including the news and trends connected to hot water heaters. The News is a publication dedicated to the heating and cooling industry. The publication has print and online resources that can keep you up to date.

Choose online resources that explain commercial hot water heater energy options

Because there are so many options to consider when choosing a commercial hot water tank or tankless system, find resources that can guide you toward the right type and power source for your heater. The standard choices are electric and gas, but there are also many businesses that now use solar energy to heat their hot water.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Energy has good information for those considering solar water heating for their commercial buildings. Sustainable Facility is an online journal that can keep you up to date on the latest energy innovations in all areas of building and construction, but particularly the appliances used in home and commercial properties.

Explore online forums and blogs dedicated to water heaters and other HVAC topics

There are many blogs and online forums where you can network with other HVAC service dealers and suppliers to find out what is hot in the water heater business. Many of these blogs not only cover trends in products, but also trends in sales, marketing and legal issues.

I recommend: HVACR Business presents a blog by Tracy Purdum in a forum style so you can interact directly with the blogger. DtiCorp.com features news and trends in the HVAC industry, including water heaters and air conditioners.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Choosing a commercial tankless water heater can be the best choice for small businesses and those that need a lot of extra space. If you have roof space, you can easily install a solar powered hot water heater to save most of your energy costs.

The water heater is a fundamental part of many businesses that require facilities for workers or customers. Although some larger buildings may use "collective" large-scale water heaters, many businesses, including restaurants, housing and hospitalities, rely on regular-sized water heaters of the standard residential size. Those in charge of "public services" for an office or for hospitalities pay attention to their water heater purchases to make the company's facilities as competitive as possible; running water is a big part of any "bricks and mortar" business. Just ask anyone who's ever had to deal with poor water pressure or substandard water heating.

Businesses use water heaters to:

1. Provide hot water in restrooms for restaurants, offices or public spaces.
2. Heat water for residential use in apartment buildings.
3. Accommodate guests in hotels, motels or hostels.

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Price water heaters online

Commercial hot water heaters range in price from a couple of hundred dollars to over a thousand depending on factors like tank capacity and high-tech features. Browse models online and compare price tags. Order online for easy purchasing and shipping setup

I recommend: Lowe's has an online age with a collection of water heaters priced for shopping at a glance. Nextag offers water heater models for sale online.

Compare electric water heaters, gas water heaters and tankless water heaters

Think about how much each type of heater will cost to install and run. Look into electric tankless water heaters, an eco-friendly alternative.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Energy is a good resource when you are deciding between gas, electric or tankless water heaters. Depending on your business, you may have inherited a certain type of water heater with your office, but it's never too late to choose a better solution. Tankless water heaters, or "on demand hot water" heaters provide hot water only as it is needed. Go Tankless, Bosch and E-Tankless Water Heaters are popular commercial tankless water heater vendors.

Find tech support for your water heater

In installing and using your water heaters, you may find you need some professional help. Solutions for support are also online. Just access a plumbing support site and log your details to find a rep in your area.

I recommend: Home Depot offers a directory of techs for water heater fixes. Fill out their online form to schedule a free phone consultation. ServiceMagic allows you to match a technician to your needs using your zip code and a short survey.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for warranties. If you're busy with multiple projects, it helps to have a guarantee lined up in case your water heater goes on the fritz. Malfunctioning models can be swapped out and replaced quicker with a warranty from the vendor.
• •  Read your consumer reports. Features vary on a water heater, but as it operates on a pretty straightforward principle, there are a number of good guides that rate tanks and 'tankless' water heaters, so instead of just choosing by price, be proactive and do a little research to be savvy before you buy.

Commercial hot water heaters are an essential appliance, and a significant cost to consider when constructing a commercial building. This is why there are now so many different options to choose from when picking a commercial hot water heater that will best fit your space and budget.

Choosing from gas, electric or tankless water heaters can be an important decision, but there are a couple of factors that will help narrow your search to find right commercial water heater. Besides cost, here are some specs to consider when determining what type or brand of hot water heaters to use in a building:

1. The amount of space available for a commercial hot water heater.

2. Where you can connect electric and/or gas lines.

3. The amount of hot water the building will need at any given time.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a commercial tankless water heater to save space

Commercial tankless water heaters are a great choice for those who have little space to work with when installing a water heater unit. A tankless water heater takes up relatively little. It can be mounted on the wall indoors or outdoors. Tankless water heaters range in price from $850 to just under $2500, depending on how many gallons per minute the model can heat.

I recommend: Noritz offers a range of tankless hot water heater sizes that process between 5.3 to 13.2 gallons of water per minute. Rheem offers a line of commercial tankless water heaters that will suit the needs of many commercial buildings.

Pick a commercial gas hot water heater for reliability

Gas water heaters range in price from $4000 to over $5000, but these commercial models can provide anywhere from 80 to 100 gallons of hot water per minute. And by using natural gas, you can save on electricity costs and have hot water much faster than with traditional electric water heaters.

I recommend: Wallingford Sales Company provides a wide range of sizes, and even a high efficiency line of natural gas hot water heaters. Westside Wholesale offers the most popular natural gas hot water heater models, such as the Bosch tankless hot water heater.

Purchase electric water heaters for convenience

Electric water heaters are some of the most convenient heating appliances on the market. They work out well when there is just no room to install a gas line. And gas lines can be dangerous if they begin to leak or are not installed properly. Best of all, electric models are the least expensive, generally running around $500 for tankless models.

I recommend: Seisco has many models of tankless electric hot water heaters for commercial and industrial uses. Rinnai offers indoor and outdoor electric tankless hot water heater models for commercial use.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The pricing and costs of water heaters do not stop once you buy the unit. The cost of adding in gas and electric lines, plus the monthly utility costs should all be taken into consideration before choosing the right water heater model.

Water heaters last a long time, so most of us don't have much experience with purchasing one. When it's time to choose a new water heater for your business, take your time. There's a lot to consider and you will have to live with your choice for years to come. Be sure to read and compare the manufacturers' information. Pay special attention to the various ratings and, of course, to the warranty.

Action Steps
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First hour rating (FHR)

The first hour rating is how much hot water the heater produces within one hour. Many people assume that a large water heater storage tank equates with always having plenty of hot water. That's not necessarily so. Having enough hot water for the times when demand is highest depends on how quickly a tank can replenish hot water as it is drawn out.

I recommend: To learn more about the first hour rating visit the U.S. Department of Energy.

Energy factor (EF)

Every water heater comes with an energy factor (EF) rating. The higher the EF number, the more efficient the water heater. Keep in mind that a high EF rating does not mean the water heater will have the lowest annual operating cost. To determine that cost, you must factor in the first hour rating, the size of the tank and your fuel source.

I recommend: For more information about the energy factor rating, visit Bradford White.

Standby heat loss

Storage water heaters lose energy even when you are not running hot water. This is called standby heat loss. To minimize this, choose an insulated tank with a thermal resistance (R-value)of R-12 to R-25. To minimize standby heat loss in older models, wrap the tank in a water heater blanket and insulate your hot water pipes. To completely avoid the problem of standby heat loss, choose a tankless water heater.

I recommend: For more information about minimizing standby heat loss in older water heaters, visit Lower-My-EnergyBill.com.

Nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions

Water heaters emit NOx--reactive gases that contain varying amounts of nitrogen and oxygen. According the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NOx is a pollutant that contributes to global warming, acid rain and respiratory problems. If you live in Southern California or Texas, a water heater's nitrous oxide emissions rating is required to be very low.

I recommend: To learn more about NOx, go to Metal Finishing.

Sediment

Over time, the minerals in water collect at the bottom of a water heater tank and form sediment. Sediment eventually slows a water heater's ability to heat water. Proper water heater maintenance includes either periodically draining the tank to remove the sediment or dissolving sediment with a chemical. Since sediment build up can affect the life of your water heater, look for a 12-year warranty, which typically includes a more robust heating element.

I recommend: To learn more about how to control sediment visit Water Heater Rescue.

Hybrids

Hybrid water heaters are the newest water heating technology. Hybrids can be powered by electricity or gas. They use far less energy and emit very low NOx.

I recommend: To preview General Electric's hybrid electric water heater go to Consumer Report.org's blog. To learn more about hybrid technology visit Grand Hall.