Purchasing a new water heater is not something that you often do, however, if it is time to replace it, you might find that the process of choosing a water heater can be quite time-consuming and overwhelming. In this article, you will be able to read about the 6 tips for choosing the right water heater. Let’s take a look at the tips:
1. Fuel Source
The usual residential water heater uses either electricity or gas as their fuel source. If the water heater you have now is gas-filled, make sure that you confirm if it uses propane or natural gas. Gas water heaters have a higher up-front cost and they require special ventilation for safety and health purposes. But, they offset the up-front cost over time by lowering the operating costs. Electric models have smaller up-front costs but they usually have higher operating costs. The most important thing that you should know is which source it uses, hence, you will be able to buy a proper replacement.
2. Energy Efficiency
According to the experts from waterheaterreviewssite.com, no matter what fuel source you opt for, a water heater could be the third-largest energy consumer in your house. Hence, you will want to choose a unit that is quite energy efficient. Fortunately, almost all new models have a high level of energy efficiency. You should search for the Energy Factor (EF) rating on the heater. This rating measures how efficiently a water heater can convert energy into heat and how much heat is lost during storage. The higher the factor is, the more efficient the unit is.
3. Storage Type
Tank water heaters are the most popular option in many homes. It operates by constantly heating and storing hot water, then releasing it from the tank when you turn on the hot water outlet. When you use the hot water, cold water will enter the bottom of the tank which ensures that it is always full. However, since it is always heating water, energy can be wasted when the faucet is off.
4. Storage Capacity
Most heaters are evaluated by how many gallons of water they hold. The first-hour rating and the gallons-per-minute rating for storage tank water heaters will tell you how quickly the water is heated. On-demand water heaters do not hold the water, but the gallons-per-minute rating indicates the capacity of the flow.
5. Space Required
One thing that you will need to consider is the available space. If you do not have space to install a standard-sized water heater, you can opt for different options. Short water heaters or lowboys are wider and shorter than standard ones, hence, they can hold the same amount of water, but will fit in smaller rooms. Also, tankless water heaters take up little space when compared to the traditional options.
6. The Warranty
You will also need to know specific things regarding the warranty of the new appliance. Usually, the warranty runs from 6 to 12 months, hence, make sure that you find out the entire scope of the warranty before you buy the heater.
Conclusion
By following these 6 tips, you will be able to make the entire process of choosing and buying a new water heater easier, less time-consuming, cost-efficient, and less overwhelming.
