How To Choose Your Water Heater

A water heater is an indispensable household appliance. It serves an important function of providing the hot water your home needs. An inefficient water heater will not only interrupt the supply of hot water in your home, but it will also have a huge impact on your energy bills. 
Whether you’re installing a new water heater in your new home or replacing an existing unit, there are things you’ll need to look at in order to make a smart decision. 
First, let's walk you through the different types of water heaters available.

1. Conventional water heaters: They feature insulated ready-to-use reservoirs that hold heated water, anywhere between 20 to 80 gallons.
2. Tankless water heaters: These water heaters deliver hot water on an as-needed basis. They heat water directly as it flows through the unit, so there’s no need for a storage tank.
3. Heat pump water heaters: These heaters use heat in the surrounding air to heat water, rather than generating heat directly. 
4. Solar water heaters: As the name suggests, solar water heaters use solar panels to provide hot water.
5. Tankless coil water heaters: These water heaters heat water using a heating coil or heat exchanger inserted right into the main furnace or boiler. 
6. Indirect water heaters: These water heaters work together with a home’s furnace or boiler to heat water by transferring it through a heat exchanger located in the storage tank.

Here are the factors to consider when choosing your water heater:

•    Energy efficiency
You want a water heater that can provide plenty of hot water while keeping your energy bills low. Water heaters are assigned an energy factor (EF), and the higher the energy factor, the more efficient the water heater. You may need the help of a qualified and experienced plumber in Ohio Valley when choosing a water heater based on energy rating. 
•    Size
You'll need to choose the right size water heater to provide your household with enough hot water at all times. If your water heater is too small, you'll never have enough hot water for everyone in your household. Besides, the water heater may end up being overworked, resulting in inefficiency and even breaking. 
If it’s too big, it could run up your energy bills. So it’s important to consider the number of people who live in your household to choose the right size water heater. Also, you’ll need to determine how high your peak hot water demand is. 
•    Fuel type
Water heaters use various energy sources, including electricity, fuel oil, natural gas, geothermal energy, propane, and solar energy.  The fuel source affects your water heater's annual operation costs as well as its level of energy efficiency. Each fuel source has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you'll want to choose the fuel source that works best for you. 
•    Cost
Various water heaters come with different annual operating costs, so it’s important to compare those costs among different models before choosing the best water heater for your home.

Need Help with Water Heater Installation in Ohio Valley? Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing

If you need help with water heater installation in Ohio Valley or you’re unsure about which water heater model to choose for your home, call Mr. Rooter Plumbing today. Our qualified and experienced plumbers will be happy to answer your questions and help you make an informed decision when it’s time to choose a water heater.