How to Choose A Water Heater?
By buying a new water heater, you can save money on utilities and use less water. The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 2015 says that all gas, electric, oil, and tankless gas water heaters made in the U.S. must meet strict standards for how well they use energy. Long-term cost reductions may be improved by updating an outdated water heater.
The focus should not be solely on efficiency. Think about how big it is, how much it costs up front, how it heats, how easy it is to maintain, and how often you’ll need to do it. Our goal as plumbing technology experts is to make things as easy as possible for you. The article will cover the most important questions to ask while looking for a water heater, as well as some of the less important questions that may help you narrow down your options.
Choosing the Right Water Heater – Essential Questions
- Water heater types: which is right for you?
Water heater technology has provided various possibilities for clients of every budget, demand, and home type. Here are the key candidates and a bit about each, courtesy of the Department of Energy:
Conventional Storage Tank Water Heaters
The typical water heater keeps a reservoir of warm water on standby. This enables you to get fast hot water whenever you want it, but standby heat loss is a concern. You’re paying to consistently keep the water hot, even when you aren’t using it.
Tankless Water Heaters
Water is heated as needed by tankless models, which are becoming increasingly common. You’ll be saving money on your energy bill thanks to the elimination of heat loss while the device is in standby mode. This heating method may struggle to keep up with several simultaneous uses in a large household; however, installing dedicated point-of-use water heater units in various locations throughout the home might alleviate this issue.
Heat Pump Water Heater
This water heater works similarly to how a refrigerator works in reverse, by drawing heat from the air and storing it in a tank. Heat pump water heaters perform best in a warm environment (between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit) and may not perform well in cooler temperatures.
Tankless Coil and Indirect Water Heaters
The water in a tankless coil water heater is heated by a coil or exchanger in your central heating system. In the meantime, water is heated indirectly by circling a fluid heated in a furnace or boiler around a storage tank. Systems like this might be inefficient in warmer areas since they rely on your home’s heating system.
Solar Water Heatersmaximise
A solar water heater, which is fairly new and a great option in Southern California, could cut your monthly costs for heating water by a large amount. Solar energy is used to heat water. The system is made up of a storage tank and a solar collector. There are many ways to heat water with the sun, both actively and passively.
2. What fuel is right for you?
Electricity, fuel oil, natural gas, propane, solar energy, and even geothermal energy are some of the fuel options available to homes today. However, the fuel options you have may be limited by the type of water heater you have and the infrastructure in your area. Water heaters with high efficiency ratings that are a good fit for your household’s needs are becoming more and more important as energy costs continue to increase.
Find out what’s available in your region and how much gasoline costs by contacting your local utility companies. Your choice of fuel might result in additional installation fees. In addition, you should think about the fact that some water heaters perform better with particular fuel types, which might help you save money on fuel. Mike Diamond Services has skilled plumbers that can give advice on how to maximize the efficiency of your water heater. We can tailor our advice to your house, area, and requirements.
3. What size water heater do I need?
The capacity of your home and the water heater model you select will determine its size. More essential than storage capacity is the first-hour rating, as a family of four may consume as much as 100 gallons of warm water daily (FHR). This metric provides a ballpark figure for how much hot water a unit can supply during a peak usage period, like the morning.
If you want to know if a water heater’s FHR will be sufficient for your household, multiply the number of people living there by 12, then divide that number by the FHR. There are three people in the family, so add one to get four. Multiply it by 12 and you get 48 as the FHR. That’s the minimal FHR you should check for on the water heater’s yellow Energy Guide label.
For two individuals, a 30-gallon tank is sufficient, but a family of four would require a 40-gallon tank. If you’re worried about how much water your water heater can hold, talk to one of our experts. We can help you pick a water heater that won’t run out of hot water when you need it.
4. How do I choose the most efficient water heater?
Your water heater’s FHR should come first. Once you’ve found out what that number is, just search for the greatest energy factor (EF) rating you can afford as long as your minimum necessary FHR is still satisfied. In other words, the better the EF rating, the greater the savings will be in the long term.
Choosing the Right Water Heater – Other Considerations
Warranty
A standard water heater usually lasts between 8 and 12 years; therefore, the warranty period should reflect that. The expected lifetime of a tankless water heater might be 20 years. In general, water heaters with longer warranties are made with higher-quality components and more thorough insulation.
Anti-scaling
Long-term corrosion is a major issue for water heaters. It may cause floods and other plumbing disasters. Swirling the water in certain water heaters can reduce mineral buildup. Some people line the tank with a unique glass-like covering to keep it safe. Consider these optional extras or make sure your warranty covers scaling-related damages.
Space and safety
Increasing the insulation on traditional water heaters is a common response to the NAECA’s new efficiency guidelines. If you’re upgrading from an older model, keep in mind that the replacement may need additional room. Any electrical item in the vicinity might become a source of danger in the event of a leak, so make sure to take that into account when inspecting the installation site. Last but not least, if your water heater will use a fuel that has to be burned, such as gas, install carbon monoxide detectors and make sure the system is correctly ventilated. A plumber with a solid reputation can make sure your system is installed properly.
Check out the U.S. Energy Department’s buying guide for water heaters for more details.
