While some things in your home are more of a convenience than a necessity, hot water is not one of those things. The average homeowner uses hot water multiple times every day, whether it’s used to shower, wash clothes or run the dishwasher. This is why it’s important to choose a water heater that provides enough power for your Chattanooga, TN, home. Not only does choosing the right water heater ensure you get enough hot water for your home, it also helps you save money on costly water heater repairs. If you’re looking for the perfect water heater for your home, here are some basics to help you out.

Gas vs. Electric

One of the first decisions you have to make when you’re shopping for a water heater is whether you want a gas or electric water heater. There are advantages to choosing both types, but the current setup in your home may also influence your decision.

Gas water heaters are a popular option when it comes to saving money on your electric bill. In general, using gas to heat water is more efficient, although the degree of savings depends on gas prices in your area and the water heater you buy. If you do opt for a gas water heater, keep in mind that it’s going to cost a little more upfront. In addition to this, you’ll need to make sure your plumber is familiar with gas water heater repair.

Electric water heaters are the most common because they’re a good mix of affordable and efficient. While an electric water heater won’t give you quite the efficiency of a gas unit, it also costs a lot less to invest in one. Plus, electric water heater repair is simple since they’re the most common type.

Keep in mind that you might want to choose your water heater type based on what was previously in your Chattanooga, TN, home. If you already have gas lines run, it’s going to be a lot easier to install a new water heater.

Tankless vs. Tank Type

There was a time when the only water heaters you could buy were tank type heaters, but that’s changing. With the growing popularity of tankless water heaters in the past few decades, there are lots of options. However, it’s important to remember your choice has a big effect on water heater repair costs.

The best part about tankless water heaters is the fact that they provide hot water on demand, which means they don’t suffer from the same shortages that tank type water heaters do. Theoretically, you should always have hot water if you have a tankless water heater with a high enough GPM rating. However, one of the biggest things to keep in mind with tankless water heaters is that the upfront investment and water heater repair costs are going to be larger.

Tank type water heaters remain the most common option because of their simplicity and affordability. With a tank type water heater, you have a first-hour rating that combines the capacity of the water heater tank with the amount of hot water it can create within an hour. When this water runs out, you have to wait a while for a new tank full of hot water. While this is inconvenient for some people, it’s not as big of a problem if you simply opt for a larger tank. One of the biggest benefits to choosing a tank type water heater is that you save on installation and water heater repair costs.

Capacity

If you want hot water in your Chattanooga, TN, home all the time, you need to make sure you’re buying a water heater that meets your needs in terms of capacity. You want to look at the first-hour rating if you’re going with a tank type model and the GPM rating if you’re opting for a tankless water heater.

Each fixture and appliance in your home has a set amount of water it uses. For example, faucets generally flow at a rate of between 0.5 and 1.5 GPM. If you want to make sure your tankless water heater can provide hot water throughout your home at all times, all you need to do is make sure its GPM rating can handle multiple fixtures and appliances.

Tank type water heaters involve a little more math since you need to consider the first-hour rating. However, a good rule of thumb is to invest in a water heater that provides enough hot water for multiple showers as well as some additional use.

Point of Use

When it comes to having the most convenient hot water in your Chattanooga, TN, home, a point-of-use model is a good option. However, you do need to be prepared to pay more for water heater repairs.

Point-of-use water heaters are designed to provide hot water to a single room in your home, which means you can use a shower or faucet without taking hot water away from other fixtures and appliances. While this is a great option if you’re looking for the most convenient setup, it can also be costly. Not only do you have to have multiple water heaters installed throughout your home, you also need to pay for repair when any one of those water heaters has a problem.

The Right Call

Picking the perfect water heater for your home isn’t an easy task, especially if you don’t want to pay a fortune for water heater repairs down the line. The good news is, a little research goes a long way.

If you’re still not sure what the best option is for your Chattanooga, TN, home, Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air can help you choose. We know how important it is to have hot water, and we can help you choose a model that gives you a constant supply. Whether you need water heater repair, installation or advice, give us a call today at (432) 616-1025.