Summary

    – Small capacity electric water heater 

    – Vertical electric water heater 

    – Horizontal electric water heater

    – Flat water heater

    – Rectangular water heater 

One solution among others to bring hot water to a home, the electric water heater is a crucial part of the home’s comfort.

Over the past 50 years, electric water heaters have remained true to their cylindrical shapes, some slightly wider than others but retaining their original form. Its installation always requires a camouflage operation. Large, cylindrical, unsightly, it can quickly take up space.

Fortunately, the evolution of new designs has taken hold of the problem, and you now have more choice in the shape of your electric water heater. 

Small capacity electric water heater 

The small capacity water heater has a limited tank with a volume of 10, 15 or 30 litres.

It serves a single water point (sink, washbasin) or can be installed in addition to a larger capacity water heater. For example, it can be useful if the distance between the point of use and the water heater is more than 8 to 10 meters.

Depending on the model, the water outlets are located under the appliance (over-sink water heater) or above (under-sink appliance). 

Vertical electric water heater 

It consists of the three basic components of the electric water heater: the anti-corrosion enamelled tank, the resistance to heat the water and the thermostat to regulate the temperature.

The difference between the models lies mainly in the tank’s thermal insulation quality and the type of resistance (immersed directly in water or sheltered from water in a sheath). 

The vertical water heater has a capacity of 50 to 200 litres. It must be attached to a solid wall to withstand the unit’s weight and, since the heater is installed from the bottom, there must also be sufficient space to access it.

One variant is the stable electric water heater, which is not wall-mounted but is mounted on a base. The heater and water supply are located on the side and can be more extensive. 

Horizontal electric water heater

The operation is the same, but it is oriented horizontally. Its capacity ranges from 50 litres to 200 litres.

If the hot water outlet remains on the upper part, the cold water inlet can be from the right or the water heater’s underside.

Flat water heater

This is the novelty that saves space, combining aesthetics and energy performance. Indeed, hot water production is more efficient, and heat loss is reduced. 

Its elongated shape and internal structure promote the formation of stable layers of water at different temperatures. The hot water remains close to the drawing point, which allows for more water at 40°C than a traditional water heater of the same capacity. This avoids the untimely mixing of hot and cold water and reduces heat loss.

The water heater’s reinforced insulation, with one side glued to the wall, retains hot water longer.

It integrates the technology of thermodynamic water heaters, thus offering high energy performance. The 100 L model produces 170 litres of water at 40°C in 3h20, and the 50 L model has 72 litres of water at 40°C in 1h30. 

This water heater can be installed either on the wall if it is strong enough to hold its full weight of water (about 180 kg) or on the floor using specific supports.

Rectangular water heater 

With its barely one meter width, this water heater fits everywhere.  It doesn’t work with a large tank, but with four cylinders that heat the water: small stainless steel tanks surrounded by heating panels. The water is heated from the outside, so there is no more worry about corrosion or scale resistance. 

In addition to saving space, it also saves energy. All the tanks are connected and allow water consumption management remotely. An application on your computer or laptop reveals precisely the water consumption, the number of kWh produced and the equivalent in euros. This can save up to 35% on the electricity bill. The system can also be turned off and on again remotely.

In short, depending on where you want to integrate your water heater, you can necessarily choose the model that suits you and your decor. And that may only be the beginning. We will probably find more and more models of water heaters soon, with even more diverse shapes.