Every time you take a hot shower after waking up in the morning, wash your clothes, or do the dishes after dinner, you have your water heater to thank for all that hot water at your disposal. However, water heaters are not made to last forever, which means at some point you’ll need to buy a new one. Since today’s water heaters are much more advanced than those made only a decade ago, it’s important to select the one that’s best for you and your family. To do so, keep these tips in mind.
Tank or Tankless?
Your first big decision will be whether you want a traditional water heater with a large tank, or instead want to join many other homeowners by having a tankless water heater installed in your home. Tankless water heaters are much smaller than traditional water heaters, but do generally cost more to purchase and install.
Small or Large?
If there is one thing you don’t want to do when deciding on a new water heater, it is to have one installed in your home, only to later realize you got one that doesn’t meet your family’s hot water needs. As a rule, ask professional plumbers like First Class Plumbing of Florida, Inc. for their advice. Most often, a two-person household will have their hot water needs met very well by a 50-60 gallon water heater. Should your household be larger, chances are you may need a water heater with an 80-gallon capacity.
Electric or Gas?
If the majority of your home’s appliances are gas-powered, you may want to let your new water heater join the club. Though gas water heaters usually cost more than electric water heaters, they are known for supplying hot water very quickly when it is needed. Also, think about whether or not you want to convert your home from electric to gas power. If so, you’ll need to consider not only the cost of your new water heater, but also the costs associated with making the conversion, such as installation of new gas lines.
Energy Efficiency?
Finally, always try to select a water heater that will be very energy efficient. When looking at various heaters, pay close attention to the heater’s EF Rating, which stands for Energy Factor. This rating will be between 0.5-2.0, and the higher the number, the greater the efficiency of the water heater. If you want to keep your energy bill as low as possible, try getting a water heater with a 2.0 EF Rating.
By keeping these tips in mind along the way, you can select a water heater that will be very efficient, last at least 10 years, and give you and your family all the hot water you desire.
About the author:
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.