Shopping For a Residential Water Heater? Here?s A Short Guide to Help You!!!

Posted by Mitchell Lieberman on August 9th, 2017

A water heateris an integral part of your home and as such it is important to ensure it is working optimally.  Most homeowners take this important appliance for granted until it stops working. In most cases, the unit stops working at the most inconvenient time.  While older homes already have water heaters, you should appreciate the need to upgrade your old unit to leverage the benefits of a modern water heater.

Why Upgrade Your Water Heater?

Research shows that residential water heaters are among the most energy-hungry appliances. A water heater consumes about 15% of your total annual electricity bill. With an older system, you will waste hundreds of dollars which you can avoid by upgrading to an energy-efficient water heating system.
 
A new unit is also safer to operate and you will not be jeopardizing your family and assets.   Installing a new water heating unit also allows you to customize your system. This means you have unit that fully solves your heating needs. If your water heating unit is regularly malfunctioning and you are incurring a huge repair bill every year, it is time you take a look at the new systems in the market.
 
Types of Residential Water Heaters

There are several types of hot water heaters from among which you have to choose. Take a look:

1.Storage tank water heater: The conventional storage water heaters have a ready reservoir for water. Cold water moves into the tank and is heated before being released to the pipes. It wastes a lot of energy in the process.
 
2.Tankless or on-demand water heater: There is no storage tank which saves stand-by energy loss. Water is only heated when the hot water tap is turned on.
3.Solar water heater: Uses sun’s heat water stored in a reservoir.
 
4.Indirect water heaters: This intricate system incorporates your heater into the home’s heating system. Your home’s heating system keeps water hot.

Choosing a Water Heater
 
Now that you know which types of hot water heaters are available, consider the following factors before picking any of the above:

1.Energy efficiency: Choose the most energy efficient water heater to maximize on cost savings.

2.Fuel type: Consider the energy source, its availability and cost.

3.Proper sizing: Use a water heating contractor to evaluate your home’s water heating needs in order to buy the right sized appliance.

4.Cost of running the system: Don’t just look at the initial cost but the overall operating costs of the new appliance. Go for a low maintenance water heater.

Go ahead and choose a properly sized, affordable, low-maintenance and energy-efficient water heater from a reputable brand and make sure you use a certified contractor for the installation.