Choosing a New Water Heater. What Factors Should I Consider?
You are in the market for a new water heater. There are options aplenty, but you need to know what are the most important factors to consider in your decision for a replacement. These factors include the general type of water heater, the fuel used, the appropriate size of heater for your home and the installation and operating costs of the unit.
Type of Water Heater
Most residential water heaters come in the two broad types of either a regular heater that has a tank of water or the tankless variety. Historically the water heater that keeps a tank of water warmed up and ready for use at any time is what homes have used for decades. More recently, tankless systems have also come into use. They both have their pluses and minuses.
Tankless are seen as more efficient because you are only heating water as you need it instead of constantly keeping a big tank of hot water ready for use at a moments notice. Tankless are also advocated for situations where there will be heavy use, especially at peak times, for hot water. The variant with a tank needs some time in between people’s showers for that tank to fill up again with hot water. Tankless may have a slight delay before the hot water starts, but once it gets going it continuously produces hot water as there is no delay for a tank to fill up.
Fuel Source for the Heater
When it comes to the fuel types for water heaters, natural gas and electric are the most common. There is also the option of propane and oil, but they are typically only used where natural gas is not available. Natural gas is generally cheaper than electric, but the difference in cost can vary depending on the price of these fuel sources where you live.
Sizing, Cost and Efficiency of a New Unit
You need a heater that is appropriately sized for your home. If the unit that you’re replacing was satisfying your hot water needs, then a similar size unit should suffice. As mentioned earlier, tankless units tend to be more efficient in terms of operating costs because they only heat water when you need it, however, they can also have a significantly higher up front installation cost.
Tankless units will also last a few years longer than a traditional one. Whichever type you get, proper maintenance will be required to keep it operating at peak efficiency. As long as you have it maintained at the proper intervals recommended by the installer, it should provide you and your family with hot water for over a decade.
Doing some research on a new water heater for your Chattanooga home? Call Metro Sewer and Plumbing at (423) 855-0967 today, and get the proper insight on your new water heater choice.