Water heaters are a vital part of our everyday life. Without them, showers would be unpleasant and your dishes wouldn’t get quite as clean. And as with most all other appliances in your home, they will eventually need replacing.
How to Choose the Right Water Heater
When replacing your water heater, there are a few key elements to consider:
- The correct size of water heater to maximize efficiency and provide ample hot water for your entire home.
- The type of energy source you will be using to heat your water. Most water heaters are powered by natural gas or electricity. However, there are also geothermal, propane, and solar powered tanks.
- How energy efficient you want your water heater to be. If you have more than one available energy source, you can compare which type would run most efficiently in your home.
- What you are willing to spend. Water heaters can vary widely in ticket price. However, a more expensive model might be more efficient, thusly reducing your monthly expense.
Once you have answered these questions, you can now select the right type of water heater for your home.
Conventional Storage Water Heater
Most homes currently operate using conventional storage water heaters. These storage tanks hold a quantity of heated water, and come in sizes ranging from 30 to 80 gallons.
Inside the tank is a gauge that monitors the temperature of the water, heating it back up when it drops below the level it is set to.
Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters, as their name implies, do not store pre-heated water in a tank, but rather heat up the water as it is being used. They are also much more compact and are expected to last nearly twice as long as their tanked counterparts.
Tankless water heaters come in a variety of sizes in order to cater to your home’s needs. The size of water heater you need will depend on how many appliances your water heater will be supplying and the temperature that the water is heating.
Electric Heat Pump Water Heater
Heat pump water heaters work by using heat in the air combined with electrical elements to heat water stored in its tank. Heat pump water heaters can be used in our area during the warmer months. Electric heat pump water heaters work on average three times more efficiently than traditional energy sourced heaters.
Solar Powered Water Heater
With more effort being placed on going green, solar powered heaters have become more popular, and can be used in nearly any climate. A solar panel uses the suns energy to heat the water in the tank and distribute it throughout the home using one of four different active or passive methods, depending on the climate. Solar water heaters are very energy efficient and very cost effective.
Making Your Final Decision
If you are still having trouble making that final decision, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can help you weigh your options and decide which tank would make the most sense for your home. And remember, in the event of an emergency, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Just give us a call at 270-443-1067!