When any homeowner needs a hot water heater replacement, it’s inevitably a bummer to have to hash out that kind of investment. The truth of the matter is that there are countless older homes from the ‘70s and ‘80s that simply require water heater replacements. It’s simply a part of being a homeowner, and although it is a very costly replacement job it’s ultimately something everyone is going to need to think about if your water heater is getting old.
We’re very lucky to have teamed up with Beehive Plumbing, a hot water heater replacement specialist, to help us compile this list of 5 considerations when you’re on the hunt for a new water heater. These purchases are obviously really important to you and the overall sanctity of your household, so by going through this list you’ll be putting you and your family in a much better position to purchase the right water heater for your home!
1. Fuel Source
For the most part, your options are going to be water heaters that run on electricity or gas as the fuel source, but both of these have their pros and cons that you should be well aware of. If your old water heater had gas as the fuel source, then you’ll need to know if it was natural gas or propane.
Gas water heaters will typically cost more to install with up-front costs, but those costs will even out over long periods of time. Electric water heaters are the opposite in that they typically cost less to install and initiate, but have high operating costs over time.
2. Energy Efficiency
Your water heater is going to ultimately be the most energy consuming appliance within your household, so it’s always a good idea to consider the overall energy efficiency of your prospective water heaters. Your replacement water heater should be energy efficient and have the ability to help you save money on your future bills.
The water heater’s Energy Factor (EF) rating is something that will help you better differentiate energy efficiency during your shopping.
3. Type of Storage
Tanks are still by far the most common type of water heater throughout the USA, and it’s a pretty basic style in terms of storing hot water until you’re ready to use it and then releasing it via the top of the tank. Tankless water heaters are a new type of storage, and it actually can help you decrease your overall energy use by up to 30%, which is a big plus for many homeowners.
One of the drawbacks to utilizing a tankless water heater is that it’s typically best for only one person to be showering at once, which rings true to many tank storages as well!
4. Capacity of Storage
This predominately pertains to tank water heaters because tankless water heaters have an unlimited amount of capacity. But when it comes to tank water heaters, you’ll want to know the overall size of the tank and how much hot water it can store at one time. Some households may even require more than one tank, but this is always up to the particular factors pertaining to your household.
5. Your Space
This is always a big consideration when it comes to purchasing or replacing a water heater, because you’ll ultimately need to know if you have enough space where you intend to put your water heater!
For more information about purchasing a water heater, reach out to the experts at Beehive Plumbing via the link at the top of the article.
